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A 



New Hampshire Farm 
and its Owner 



''But the home we first knew on this beautiful earth, 
''The friends of our childhood, the place of our birth, 
"In the heart's in?ier chambers sting always will be, 
"As the shell ever si7igs of its home in the sea.'' 

— Dana. 



X^ 



CLINTON: 
Press of William H. Benson 
1909 



Cr- 






ILLUSTRATIONS 



Elm Hill Frontispiece 

John Smith OPP- page 1 



JosiAH Phinney Smith 

Susan Stearns Smith 

Mrs. Elizabeth Stearns Smith, 

Mrs. Mary M. Greene 

Mrs. Emily Wyeth Reed 

Capt. William P. Ainsworth.. 
Theodore Phinney Greene . . . 



27 
67 
95 
147 
159 
177 
193 



PREFACE 



This little volume is a continuation of the Home of 
the Smith Family," and carries its story down to 1873, 
when the estate passed out of the family. Like its 
predecessor, it is not written for the general public, but 
is written for the descendants of John and Susan Stearns 
Smith and the fast narrowing circle of those who knew 
and loved them while living. There was nothing event- 
ful in the lives of either, and nothing in their character 
or achievements which entitles them to honor above 
thousands of their contemporaries who lived pure and 
faithful lives and did their duty, as they saw it, 
intelligently and conscientiously. Is not every life so 
lived worthy of a more enduring memorial than the 
simple marble tablet erected to their memory' in the 
village cemetery? The children of John and Susan 
Stearns Smith so believe and these pages are their loving 
tribute of filial honor and affection. 

In reality, however, this volume is much more. It 
is a narrative of life in a New England Puritan family 
living upon a New Hampshire farm in the second third 
of the nineteenth century. As the story of how such a 
family lived during those eventful years, its manner of 
life, its social customs, its patient industry and self- 
denial, its habits of thought, its deep interest in political 
and religious questions and its fidelity to strong con- 
victions — the book has permanent historic value. The 



puritanic spirit and life of the family described, were of 

a kind stripped of all the harsh features of that iron 

faith, its stern demeanor and its bigotry and harsh 

intolerance, but preserving at the same time its rigid 

integrity, its high sense of honor and duty and its 

reverent religious faith. As an average type of the 

hundreds of thousands of families dwelling in all parts of 

the land during that memorable period between 1840 

and 1H70, the story of its social and domestic life, its 

opinions and modes of expression, throws strong light 

upon the great events happening in this country 

bet^veen those years. The closer one gets at the life of 

the plain people the more intelligible does history 

appear. 

Hut this is incidental to the main purpose. What is 

here written is set down from the personal knowledge 

and observation of the authors, and may be accepted as 

a faithful sketch of the persons described and of their 

way of life upon a New Hampshire Farm during the 

years covered by the narrative. The photographs of the 

parents were taken about 1856, and are good likenesses 

of the originals as the children saw and knew them at 

that period. 

J. S. 

C. S. 



John Smith 



The greatest 7nan is he who chooses the rigid ivith 
invincible resolutioti; who resists the sorest tetnptations 
from zvithin and without; who bears the heaviest burdens 
cheerfully ; whose relia7ice on truth , on virtue, on God 
is 77iost unfaltering. I believe this greatness to be most 
commo7i a77tong the 77iultitude, zvhose 7ia7nes are 7icver 
heard. 

— Channinsr. 




JOHN SMITH 



JOHN SMITH 



John Smith, who succeeded his father to the proprie- 
torship of Elm Hill, was the third son and fifth child of 
Deacon Jonathan and Nancy Smith. The story of his 
early life and education has already been told in the 
"Home of the Smith Family." He was a student at 
New Ipswich (Appleton) Academy for two or three 
termsr probably between 1820 and 1823. No rolls, 
printed or otherwise, of the students of that institution, 
prior to 1823, exist, and his name is not found on any 
existing records. While in attendance, he studied the 
higher mathematics and acquired a knowledge of sur- 
veying which was of practical use to him in after years. 
He was a good mathematician, well grounded in the 
common English branches, knew something of grammar, 
but nothing of algebra. Far as he went in his studies 
he was thorough, and never forgot them. He took 
pleasure in aiding his children at their books, and when 
once his assistance was invoked he never left the subject 
until it was thoroughly understood. An excellent reader 
himself, he was prompt to correct inaccuracies in pro- 
nunciation, inflection or accent on the part of his children 
when reading aloud, and insisted on their rendering the 
text so as to bring out the author's meaning. His 
knowledge of surveying brought him some income, for 
he was much employed by his neighbors and townsmen 



JoFiN Smith 



in lunniu;; bouiuiaiy iiiic^ ami in surveying and platting 
land, an occupation which gave him jjlcasure and in 
which lie took much of interest. 

lentil he assumed charge of the farm, about 1S31, he 
lived at home, having care of the estate under the 
direction of his father. His first independent business 
venture was to purchase and clear a large wood lot 
adjoining the north and northeast borders of the sand 
bank field, out of which he made $750. This was some- 
time in the early thirties. 

Besides this wood lot, his one other speculation was 
the purchase, along with William Field, in 1840, of 
the "Wilson lot," situate north of the William Field 
farm. The tract consisted of 104 acres of meadow and 
woodland, for which they paid about $2000. The 
purchase was afterwards divided, Field taking the 
easterly half and Mr. Smith the western. The clearing 
of his part occupied Mr. Smith down to 1854. During 
the winters he cut off and marketed the wood and 
timber. The following September he burned over the 
land thus cut off, cleaied it up, and sowed it to rye and 
then to grass. In this way he eventually went over the 
whole of the upland, harvesting heavy crops of rye and 
hay, then turned it into pasture, and finally sold the lot 
in the latter part of the sixties. The enlerjirise involved 
a great deal of hard labor, and was only moderately 
successful. He made about $v?00 by the transaction. 

For four winters he taught school — two terms in his 
own and two in the district at the South \'illage, 
probably between th'- years 1824 and 1830. He seldom 
referred to this exfierience. In those days the district 
schools were large, and many of the pupils were men 



John Smith 



and women grown, turbulent and unruly. It required 
less knowledge than tact and physical strength to carry 
the teacher through the term successfully. He was a 
strict disciplinarian, had rare gifts in imparting instruc- 
tion and was very thorough. He made few demands 
upon those under him, but these demands he insisted 
upon and had both the courage and will to see that they 
were fully answered. He so dealt with his children and 
also with his scholars. 

The circumstances which led to Mr. Smith's trip 
west have been once given. (See " Home of the Smith 
Family," p. 191.) He kept an account of his expenses 
on the trip, which is here reproduced. It is a curious 
statement of the methods and expenses of travel 
seventy-five years ago, and is interesting when compared 
with twentieth century conveniences and routes of travel 
to the West. He left home for the journey on the first 
of May, 1832, and arrived home in the middle of the 
following August. 

Expenses. 

Fare from Peterborough to Albany . . . .$ 4.75 

Expense from P. to Troy 2.01 

From Albany to Schenectady .75 

At " and " 43 

Fare from Schenectady to Utica 3.54 

From Utica to Buffalo 6.40 

" Buffalo to Ashtabula 2.50 

Expenses .59 

From Ash. to Wellsville 4.00 

Expenses .62 

56 

From Wellsville to Cincinnati 3.00 

Expenses 2.91 

From Cincinnati to St. Eouis 15.00 

At St. Eouis 5.00 



Juu.N Smitu 



From St. Louis to Moiitehello $ 7.50 

For horse hire .75 

Cloth for paiitak)on.s 1.25 

Postaj;e of letter .25 

Expenses to Quincy .81 

From Montebello to St. Louis 2.00 

Expenses .16 

Knife 37>^ 

From St. Louis to Vincennes y.OO 

Expenses at St. Louis 1 .80 

from St. L. to Vine 1.84 

Fare from V. to Louisville 6.00 

Expenses at Vincennes 1 .00 

Expenses V. to Louisville 1.06 

at Louisville 1.25 

From Louisv. to Cincinnati 5.00 

At Cincinnati .25 

From C. to Columbus 6.00 

Expense at " 1.62 

Expense from Col. to Clevel 1.78 

For portaj^e . 1 2 ' j 

Crossing lake 2.50 

ICxpense .75 

At Buffalo 25 

Fare fm. Buff, to Xiaj^. Falls 1.00 

lvx])ense .25 

Fron\ N. to Lockjiort 1 . 50 

At Lockport 12>2 

From Lockp. to Schenectady 7.57 

At Schenectady . 12 ' j 

Fare to Troy .62/3 

At Troy 50 

From Troy to I'eterljorough 5.25 

I\xj)ense from T. to T. (?) 1 . 52 

at Montebello 3.25 

Fare from Columbus to Clevel 6.00 



Total $132.12 



John Smith 



The journey was by stage coach, the Erie Canal, and 
boats up and down the rivers and over the lakes. A 
short line of railroad from Troy to Schenectady was in 
operation, which was made use of by the travelers, for 
he was accompanied on the trip by James Walker, Ksq., 
a lawyer of Peterborough. His bill for travel and fares 
was $91.50, and for board and personal expenses, $40.62. 
Sixteen weeks were occupied by the journey, and he 
appeared to be traveling most of the time. Now he 
could go over the route in less than a week, in luxurious 
palace cars, at about one -half the cost. He did not go 
west again until 1874. 

As showing the changed conditions, an old inventory 
of the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad, of which 
the line from Troy to Schenectady was a part, dated 
January 1, 1833, gives the following as the total rolling 
stock of the road at that time: — Three locomotives (the 
John Bull, the DeWitt Clinton and the Experiment), 3 
carriages accommodating 12 passengers each, 9 accommo- 
dating 9 each, 2 accommodating 6 each and 3 accommo- 
dating 18 each, a total capacity of 183. The present 
equipment of the N. Y. C. .and Hudson River R. R., of 
which the Mohawk and Hudson is a part, includes 1851 
locomotives (with 76 in process of construction) and 
1177 passenger cars with a capacity of 70,962 passengers. 

Soon after his return he received a deed of one -half 
the farm as had been previously agreed upon. He did 
not get title to the other half until 1847, after the death 
of his father and mother, for which he paid the heirs 
$1500. September 2, 1834, he married Susan, the 
daughter of John and Chloe ( Phinney ) Stearns of Jaffrey. 
They were married at the house of Mr. Stearns by Rev. 



John Smith 



L.iitaii Ain>\Nuiiii 111 Jiiiin.y, New Hampshire. Their 
wedding; journey was by horse and chaise to Bath, N. 
H., w'here Mr. Sni th's brother Jonathan resided, and 
from thenbe to Cambridj^e, Vt., to visit Mrs. Smith's 
sister, Mrs. Caroline Runnells. They were absent on 
the trip some two or three weeks. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were 
Mary Frances, born Januar}' 7, 1836; di' d at Leg- 
horn, Italy, January 24, 1884. 
John Stearns, born Nov. 27, 1837, Assl. Siijil. Ry. 

Mail Service, St. Paul, Minn. 
Jonathan, born May 26, 1840; died of scarlet fever 

July 30. 1841. 
Jonathan, born October 21, 1842, Lawyer, Clinton, 
Mass., Justice of Second District Court of Eastern 
Worcester. 
Susan Pliinnc^', born October 14, 1S44, married 
Kugcne Lewis, June 3, 1873; died in Moline, 111., 
Sept. 26, 1877. Two children, both died in 
infancy. 
Caroline, born March 3, 1847, Asst. Librarian, 

Newton Center. 
Jeremiah, born July 2, 1852, resides in Illinois. 
Until the death of the father (Jonathan Smith) in 
1842, the two families of father and son kept separate 
tables in their housekeepiu}^, and with the father and 
mother lived the children who still made the place their 
home. Jeremiah, John Smith's younj^est brother, went 
west about 1833, at the ag:e of 18 years, atid never 
returned but once, in 1847, when he visited the old 
honjestead with his wife, Mrs. Sarah Oatman, whom he 
married in 1843. Nancy spent much time with her 



John Smith 



brother in his last years, at Bath, but returned to Elm 
Hill after his death, and was married Sept. 21, 1840, to 
Dr. John H. Foster. The youngest sister, Caroline, 
was a teacher, and left home about 1837 and never 
returned to it. She taught school in La Harpe, 111., 
and in Denmark, Iowa, married James Reynolds in 
June, 1841, and died in 1875. 

Mr. Smith cultivated his farm under the methods 
employed by his father before him. He raised potatoes, 
corn, barley, oats, sometimes wheat, and up to 1854 
large crops of rye. He paid much attention to stock 
and fattened hogs and cattle for the market nearly every 
year. Prior to 1847 he kept sheep, but by a change in 
the tariff in 1846 he was compelled to abandon the 
industry to save himself from loss. The milk business 
did not develop during his generation, for then there 
was no creamery in the town, nor any opportunity to 
send milk to Boston. But he made and marketed two 
or three hundred pounds of butter every year. When 
the commodity sold for twenty cents a pound there was 
nothing made, but in the fifties and later, when the price 
was twenty -live cents and upwards, it was a profitable 
industry. Besides these sources of income, he had a 
large apple orchard which had sprung up naturally. He 
grafted the trees into choice fall and winter varieties, 
and took close care of them for many years ; they were a 
means of considerable income every season. Between 
the years of his taking and giving up the farm, the 
productive capacity of the land materially lessened. The 
soil was strong and esp'-cially adapted for all kinds of 
crops, except corn in some portions, and in the first 
years of his proprietorship and during the lifetime of his 



8 John Smith 



father had j;ro\vn lieavy yields of all kinds of farm 
products. Down to 1840 or 1845, an acre produced 
two hundred bushels of potatoes; in the fifties, one 
hundred and twenty -five and one hundred and fifty were 
a good return. The yield of other crops declined, but 
not to such an extent. He usually harvested from thirty 
to forty bushels of corn per acre; oats and barley from 
twenty-five to thirty; wheat and rye, twenty to thirty 
bushels. From 1850 to 1861 he cut from thirty to forty 
tons of ha}' annually. Farmers of that period had not 
made any scientific study of the nature of soils nor of 
what agents were necessary to bring back the old-time 
production. The fertilizers employed were made on the 
place, for the average New Hampshire farmer had no 
means and little inducement to purchase otiiers, from 
want of a market for those products which he now grows 
at the most profit. The tools of husbandry were the 
scythe, the sickle, the old fashioned plow and hand rake; 
to these should be added the flail with which the small 
grains were threshed out on the barn floor. Mr. Smith 
had little faith that labor-saving machinery, which was 
beginning to come into a limited use in the later years 
of his life, could be used to advantage on the rough, 
stony farms of New Hampshire, and he would not listen 
to any suggestion of giving them a trial. Occasionally 
he used a horse rake, and during his last years hired 
much of his grass cut by a mowing machine, but this 
came when his ability to use the scytlie was seriously 
impaired by age. I^xperience has, however, demon- 
strated the error of his views. All the tcain work of the 
farm was done by oxen, for he was as much avtrse to 
the use of liorses as to labor -saving machimery. Though 



John Smith 



the latter have now taken the place of oxen, it may still 
be an open question whether the change is to the farmer's 
advantage. A worn out horse is worthless; but oxen, 
when past their labor, can be fattened for the market, 
and the beef always commands a good price. 

Between 1840 and 1860, prices of farm produce did 
not vary materially though fluctuating somewhat in 
different years, according to the crops. In 1865, how- 
ever, they had advanced, though hardly enough to equal 
the rise of gold in currency. The following tables, 
drawn from Mr. Smith's account books, show the varia- 
tion in the years taken for comparison. The prices 
stated are slightly affected by the seasons of the year in 
which the articles were sold, but on the whole the figures 
are fairly representative. 



1840 1855 1865 



Butter per pound $ .16^ 

Pork per pound. 05 

Pair oxen labor per day. .50 

Labor per day 75 

Barley per bushel 75 

Cider per gallon 10 

Potatoes per bushel 30 

Chickens per pound 07 

Veal per pound 04 

Beef per pound 05/' 

Oats per bushel 40 

Corn per bushel 75 

Hay per ton 11.00 

Rye per bushel 1.25 

Apples per barrel 1.00 

Wood per cord 2.00 

Labor in house per week .60 

2 



2 



.23 


$ .45 


.08 


.12 


.75 


1.00 


.75 


1.50 


1.00 


1.50 


.08 


.15 


.50 


.65 


.07 


.16^3 


.08 


.10 


.053^ 


.12 


.50 


.80 


1.00 


1.20 


15.00 


18.00 


1.50 




1.00 




2.50 


4.00 




2.00 



10 John Smith 



The following table gives the assessed value of his 
stock for the years named, so far as the records show. 
In 1S58 and in 1866 much of his stock was lumped 
together by the assessors, so that items cannot be given. 

1843 1858 1866 

1 horse $ 

1 pair oxen 

6 cows 

Other neat stock (6) . 

38 sheep 

Real estate, 206 acres 

Total property assessed 352 1 .00 

Taxes 

In 1865-6 gold was from $1.50 to $2.00 in currency. 
Reduced to the same basis these prices vary but little, 
though really averaging lower in 1866 than in 1858. 

His expenses for the year 1853 (?) were as follows: 

Hired help $100.83 

Expense of farm 95.11 

Groceries, etc 80.06 

Clothing, boots and shoes 70.98 

P. O., Books, Church Tax 32.09 

Doctors and medicines 12.72 



; 65.00 


$ 105.00 


$ 150.00 


60.00 


125.00 




82.00 


165.00 




64.00 


Had 13 Hd. 


Had 11 Hd. 


50.00 






3200.00 


188 a. 2800 


200 a. 2800 


3521.00 


3662.00 


3900.00 


20.78 


23.80 


57.96 



Total $.V;i.79 

His income was about the same. At any rate there 
was no suri)lus. This account does not include his 
business and household sui^plies drawn from the farm. 
At this time (1853) his family consisted of nine persons, 
besides guests, which came especially in the summer 
season and were often many and frequent. One other 
year, 1852, he kept an exact account of his income and 



John Smith 11 



expenses; the former was $400 and the latter a few 
dollars more. It was only by the most rigid economy 
that he made both ends meet, and this, too, without 
expenditures which would now be deemed indispensable 
to comfortable living. The table was abundatly supplied 
at all times, and no one was allowed to leave the board 
hungry. Mrs. Smith was a superior cook and house- 
keeper, and the food, while plain was always plentiful, 
and was prepared and served in the highest art of the 
New England housewife. The prayer of one of the 
ancestors, that he might be king so that he could have 
all the barley broth he wanted, was never heard in this 
household. 

Mr. Smith usually planted two acres of corn each 
year, as many potatoes, sowed from one to two acres of 
barley, from two to four of oats, and occasionally an 
acre of wheat After 1854, he never raised rye. He 
would never speculate in stock, and raised all the cattle 
he ever owned. If he needed a horse he purchased a 
well -broken colt and kept it till it was past labor. His 
stock was of the native breed, and though he took much 
interest in the experiments, then beginning, with fancy 
kinds, he never purchased them himself, as prices were 
beyond his means and he questioned whether the average 
farmer could make them profitable. His ways of buying 
and selling were peculiarly his own. If he had anything 
to dispose of he fixed his price at what he thought it was 
fairly worth, and the prospective purchaser could take 
at those figures or leave it, and the same rule governed 
his buying. He had his ideas of value and would take 
or give no more, for he would never "dicker" or 
"jockey" in his business dealings. His family often 



12 John Smith 



remonstrated with him at his prices, but his answer 
always was, "I thought it was worth so much," (naming 
the tig^ures), and all knew that was the end of the 
argument. His principle was that if an article was 
worth a given sum, it was wrong to take more, nor 
would he give any more. He would not deal with 
strangers, and if he found one had wronged him in a 
business transaction he would have nothing more to do 
with him. 

Up to 1854, when he finished clearing the Wilson lot, 
he worked in the woods with his team through the winter 
season, leaving the house before dayliglit in the morning 
and not returning till after dark. After that year, his 
winter's work consisted in taking care of his stock and 
in procuring and working up his year's supply of fire 
wood, about twenty cords, which was cut from the home 
lot. The first spring duty was to go around the fences 
and put them in order. He would never tolerate any other 
fence than a stone wall, and on his large farm and its sub- 
divisions there was only about thirty rods of brush fencing, 
and that ran through a piece of thick woods not easily 
accessible to cattle. Kven around his entire Wilson lot, 
except across a meadow too soft to bear a team, he built 
and maintained heavy stone walls; if he divided a lot 
for mowing or pasturage, it was so fenced, and all were 
kept in good order and secure for his own and against 
his neighbors' cattle. 

Serious farm work never began before the twentieth of 
April, and often it was nearer the first of .May, depending 
upon the season. The soil of the farm was cold and 
most of it wet, which made early plowing or planting 
impossible. In putting in his crops he pursued an 



John Smith 13 



undeviating course: first it was the oats, then the barley, 
next the corn and wheat, afterwards the potatoes, and 
last of all the garden. But the garden was not always 
so put off, for the tact and gentle persuasion of the 
mother often prevailed with the boys to devote some of 
their evenings to preparing the flower garden and putting 
in early vegetables before the sowing and planting in the 
field had been completed. 

The flower garden was a conspicuous feature in the 
surroundings of the home. When and by whom it was 
first started, it is impossible to say with certainty, but 
the tradition is that it was begun by Mr. Smith's mother. 
Her daughter Nancy (Mrs. Foster) afterward had 
charge of it. She enlarged its area and increased the 
variety of flowers grown, and took deep interest in 
cultivating and beautifying it, down to the time she left 
home in 1840. Then Mrs. Smith took up the work and 
continued its cultivation until her oldest daughter, M. 
Frances, was fifteen or sixteen years old, when it was 
turned over to her. Under th^i latter, its space was more 
than doubled, and the beds were set with trees and 
shrubs and planted with a large variety of the flowers to 
be found in the old time flowt-r garden. Great bunches 
of lilacs stood at the four corners of the garden, and in 
the beds grew large plots of marigolds, phlox, sweet 
William, Ivondon pride, larkspur, daffodils, asters, china 
pinks, roses, lilies, peonies, violets, geraniums and 
hollyhocks; and for annuals were bachelors' buttons, 
candytuft, portulacca, petunias, nasturtiums, morning 
glories, Canterbury bells, ladies' slippers, coxcomb, 
sweet peas, and many others not now recalled. In 
designing and cultivating the garden, Mr. Smith did not 



14 John Smith 



assist, but he gave his children a free rein, furnished 
throuj;h his boys all the labor required by the gardener 
in charge and took as much enjoyment in seeing the 
flowers grow and blossom as the others. It was one of 
the few home enterprises of his children that he never 
laughed at or made fun of, as was his custom at many 
schemes which he did not himself originate or assume. 
If he did none of the work himself, he saw that it was 
done, and before his sons were large enough to use the 
spade he took charge of the labor himself. 

In the work of the farm the boys were early taught 
to do their full share. To the youngest was assigned 
the task of picking up the stones on the fields sown down 
to grass the year before, a dutj' which lasted without 
vacations or holidays, until completed. It was the boys' 
introduction to the "gospel of work." Mr. Smith took 
the boy to the field each morning, staked off a plot of 
ground, and to pick and put into neatly piled heaps the 
loose stones on that plot was the youngster's stint for 
the day. It was large enough to keep the youth busy 
for a good portion of the day, but was never beyond his 
ability to perform, and he knew it would not do to fail, 
and he rarely did fail. The care of the barn and stock 
was given to the boys, but the father exercised a vigilant 
supervision, and any carelessness or neglect was promptly 
called to the attention of the guilty. 

Haying began about the second week in July and 
continued for six weeks. When a son reached thirteen 
years, he was given a scythe, and in the second season 
he was expt-cted to "keep up his swath." The use of 
the shovel and hoe was taught earlier, however. The 
haying season was the busiest part of llic year, for the 



John Smith 15 



days were long and the work unremitting. After the 
hay and grain were harvested, labor was much less 
severe, and there was plenty of time for recreation. In 
the press of the season he was loath to let his children 
off for sports, though he was sometimes willing if the 
weather was rainy. His eldest son went to him one 
lowery day in haying, and remarked, "Father, I think 
the fish would bite well today." "Well, well, John," 
was the quick reply, "you keep away from the brook 
and they won't bite you." Having had his joke, the 
permission was given. The father never showed nor 
took any interest in the field sports of his sons, and none 
of them ever saw him touch a gun, fishing rod, or ball 
and bat. But he played a good game of whist, and was 
a skilful checker player, both of which games he taught 
his children. His only other diversion was playing the 
fife, which he wonld sometimes do of a winter afternoon 
when the weather forbade out-of-doors labor. 

There were five holidays in the years, when no labor 
was required bej^ond the necessary care of the barn and 
stock — town meeting day (the second Tuesday of 
March), Fast, Thanksgiving, Election day (the first 
Wednesday of June) , and Fourth of July. Each had its 
peculiar observances : on town meeting day the boys 
went to the place of voting, watched the proceedings, 
helped distribute the ballots and took their first lessons 
in politics; election day was given to excursions, fishing, 
hunting or ball playing; and on Fourth of July the 
father supplied them wnth pocket money, which was 
burned up in powder and fire crackers, with as much 
noise as possible. From these sports and diversions, 
the father held aloof. 



16 John Smith 



Through the busy season the hour of rising; was 
about 5.30 A. M., and in winter, late fall, and early 
spring. 6 o'clock. Breakfast was at 6.30 or 7 o'clock, 
dinner at 12. ami tea at 5.30 or 6 o'clock. Except in 
haying, no work was done in the field before the morning 
meal, but labor after tea did not cease till sunset, and 
then the stock had to be cared for. The hour of retiring 
was nine and never later than ten o'clock. 

Mr. Smith was a man of great physical strengih, and 
skilled in every kind of farm labor. In his younger 
days he was reputed to be the strongest man on the road. 
He was an expert with the tools of his occupation, and 
in their use he had few equals. Whether the company 
of workers was large or small, he took the lead by 
common consent, and all looked to him for guidance and 
direction. Up to 1860 he constantly improved his farm, 
underlaid many of his fields with blind stone drains, 
yearly increased the fertility of his lan<) and kept his 
fields and pastures cleared of underbrush. The build- 
ings were kept in thorough repair, and he took pride in 
the improved conditions which his hard labor had 
secured. The farm w;i> iK-\er in so good a state of 
cultivation as at the outbreak of the Civil War. 

His best ])rofits were derived from his stock, and he 
held firmly to the opinioti that it was to this the New 
Kngland farmer should give his attt-ntion. He gave 
much thought to raising cattle for bt-t-f. for which he 
obtained good prices. Money from this source came 
easier than from any otlier, for llic western beef com- 
panies had not then occupied tlic New Kngland field as 
ha<l the western farmer willi his cereals. Hut this, too, 
has nciw changed. 



John Smith 17 



In all his business affairs, John Smith was self- 
centered and very conservative. He gave to every 
subject relating to his business serious thought, seldom 
discussed it with anybody, and said little until his con- 
clusions were reached. He had great confidence in his 
own judgment, as men always do whose convictions are 
reached in this way, and if his decisions were challenged 
he could state his reasons with clearness and dogmatic 
precision. Neighboring farmers often consulted him, 
and his advice was valued and generally followed. He 
seldom tried experiments, but watched closely those made 
by his neighbors, and drew his own conclusions of the 
results. If convinced of their success, he would adopt 
the new method, or whatever had been tried, but not 
until its success was clear as a mathematical demonstra- 
tion. Under the conditions of his time he was a safe, 
conservative farmer, moderately successful, never wasted 
time or money on new ideas, and with hard work held 
his own. 



SOCIAL AND FAMILY LIFE 



Until 1842 the familj' consisted of Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith, their children, and such hired help as was 
eniplo)'ed in the house and about the farm. All social 
life centered about the hearthstone, for there was no out- 
side attractions save those connected with the church, 
and these were limited to the Sunday service. After the 
death of the father, in 1842, there was but one table and 
one family, of which the mother was a member until her 
death in 1847. Mr. Smith was fond of reading, and 
Mrs. Smith was a woman of fine literar>' tastes. Both 
were intelligent critics and recognized a good book 
almost intuitively. One of the features of the family life 
was the habit of reading aloud, begun by the father, 
which was taken up by the son and continued down to 
the death of Mrs. Smith in 1870. Save in the short 
evenings of the busiest season, the time is not recalled 
when there was not a good book being read aloud by 
some one of the family nearly every evening. As the 
children grew up they were drafted into this service, and 
when they left home it was resumed by Mr. Smith. No 
phase of the home life is more deeply inipressed upon 
uiy mind tlian this, and probably none had a stronger 
influence ui)()n the mental development of the children. 
W'lien the work was done and the candles liglited all 
gathered about the tabic. Mrs. Smith took her sewing, 



Social and Family Life 1-9 

and the father or one of the older children read from a 
book, magazine or newspaper, all the rest listening 
attentively. The reader was often interrupted by one or 
the other of the parents making some criticism or passing 
comment upon the author or his text, and if the subject 
was one in which the listeners were specially interested, 
or a question of the day, there were frequent discussions 
and then the reading would continue. I can see that 
group and hear the discussions of the parents still. 
Among the books read were Humes's England, Mrs. 
Stowe's works, Charlotte Bronte, Dickens's and Scott's 
novels, the Bigelow Papers, and many others not now 
recalled. Of the periodicals which came into the family 
were the Christian Examiner, in the early days ; and later 
were Harper's Magazine, Arthur's Home Magazine, the 
Atlantic Monthly from its beginning, the Galaxy, etc. 
For newspapers were the New York Tribune, which was 
the family political text book, its news and editorials 
being the theme of long debates with every new issue, 
the Christian Register, and, later, the Christian Inquirer, 
the Massachusetts Plowman, the New England Farmer, 
and the Transcript. Besides these the Public Library 
was patronized by the children, under the approval and 
encouragement of the parents. Mr. Smith had one rule 
which would not now meet the approval of any educator. 
While they were attending school he would not permit 
his children to take or read books from the Public 
Library. He told them that while in school their whole 
business was their studies, and to them they must give 
all their time and attention. Whatever criticism this 
rule may receive, it taught the children one important 
lesson, that the immediate work they had in hand should 



20 Social and Family Life 



have their undivided thought; and it was a lesson they 
never forgot. 

Mr. Smith's conservatism led him into old-fashioned 
views of education. He discouraged and opposed his 
children in studying any other language than Englisli. 
Latin and Greek were of no use to any one unless intend- 
ing to enter college with the view to a profession. The 
modern languages had no value unless one was expecting 
to travel abroad. He believed historj' to be out of place 
in any curriculum, as it could and ought to be read at 
home ; but the English branches should be thoroughly 
mastered and were sufficient for all purposes other than 
the liberal professions. He departed from the custom of 
his father and grandfather, each of whom had given one 
of their sons a college education. But when his children 
sought the higher culture of the academy and college, 
his opposition went no further than an expression of his 
views, and when he saw they were determined, he 
rendered them all the assistance in his power. They 
understood this inconsistency in his character, and never 
consulted him, but went to their mother, whose hearty 
sympathy and encouragement were given to their ambi- 
tions; in her thej- found a ready supporter and adviser 
in their plans. 

There was no variation in the observance of Sunday 
from the customs of the forefathers. Aside from the 
necessary care of the stock, no labor of any kind was 
done, except on one or two occasions, and then only so 
nuich as was absolutely necessary to save property. 
After breakfast family prayers were held. Mr. Smith 
was an excellent reader, and read the Bible and devo- 
tional exercises with a reverence and impressive ness 



Social and Family Life 21 

rarely heard in the pulpit. In the morning the chapter 
was from the New Testament, which was read through 
in course. All took part in the exercise, beginning with 
the father, then the mother, next the family guests, 
followed b)' the children in order of their ages, and last 
the employees, if such were present. Each read four 
verses and then the father finished the chapter, and also 
read a prayer. It was from this family worship rather 
than from the Church or Sunday School that the children 
got their religious impressions, for it was conducted so 
simply yet so devoutly and with such a deep sincerity 
that it made its imprint upon their minds. It was never 
omitted or abridged for any reason so long as the farm 
was held in the family. If a clergyman was a guest for 
the night, he was invited to ask grace at the table, and 
before retiring some one of the children read a chapter 
in the Bible and the visitor was requested to make a 
prayer. After the Sunday morning devotions, the 
children were set to their Sunday School lessons. All 
the family who could be spared from imperative home 
duties were expected to attend church, and except when 
snow was on the ground the boys had to walk to the 
service. If any were kept at home they were required 
to commit hymns or passages from the Bible to memory. 
The sermon was the subject of dinner table-talk in which 
all members of the family were expected to take part. 
The minister's discourse was not blindly approved, for 
his statements of morals and doctrine were endorsed or 
criticised with entire freedom of opinion and expression. 
After dinner, always a sumptuous one, the young people 
were again set to the lesson for the next Sunday, and to 
reading the Bible. Other reading was permissible, but 



22 Social and Family Life 



the mother exercised vig^ilaiit supervision over the books 
selected, and nothing in the shape of a novel was per- 
mitted. The sin was in getting caught, for in a quiet 
comer novels were sometnies read, and when the muther 
detected one of her children with a volume of Oliver Twist, 
she promptly took it away with strong expr.-ssions of 
surprise and disapproval that he should read "that 
book" on Sunday. About five o'clock, permission was 
given to walk out over the farm, a privilege never 
neglected. In these excursions Mr. Smith joined. In 
warm weather he left his coat, and taking his cane 
started on a tour of inspection of his fields and crops. 
He never invited any one to go with him, but was 
always pleased when Mrs. Smith or any of the children 
did so. In these walks he looked over every detail o{ 
the farm carefully, and throwing off his usual reserve, 
talked freely and interestingly of events and things 
pertaining to the place, exchanged stories and witticisms 
with his companions, and was full of incidents that had 
happened in earlier days. At dark the family \Nere 
together again. Before retiring, one of the children read 
aloud a chapter from the Old Testament, which was read 
in course, too; Mr. Smith also read a prayer, and with 
an admonition to the boys of the work of the morrow 
and "to be up early," the family retired. The home 
life on Sunday is given with minuteness because it never 
varied and was an inheritance from the father and grand- 
father. Strict as it may seem today, it was never felt to 
be so Ijy the inmates of that family. They were born 
into it, and it was lived so firmly yet so quietly and was 
so much in harmony with the whole atmosphere of the 
home that it never seemed otherwise than the natural 



Social and Family I^ife 23 

order, nor did it ever excite anj^ disposition to avoid or 
escape it on the part of the children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith possessed strong religious feelings and convictions, 
and their lives were shaped and governed by their ideals 
of faith and duty. They were never demonstrative of 
their piety and seldom talked of religious duty to the 
children. But they lived their faith, and their daily 
example of rectitude and fidelity was far more impressive 
,than any spoken words upon the sons and daughters 
growing up around them. Occasionally one would plead 
the hard work of the previous week as an excuse from 
church, but the remonstrant was met with the quiet 
answer, "you are going to church," and when older, 
with, "Won't you go?" an appeal more persuasive to 
their Scotch -Irish temper than any formal command, and 
there was no more said. This phase of the family life 
gave a dignity and character to the home and to the 
father and mother who stood at its head which the sur- 
viving cliildren now recall with reverent gratitude. 

The great day of the year was Thanksgiving, and in 
no New England home was the festival observed in 
better harmony with the spirit and purpose of the day. 
By the young people it was anticipated for the good 
cheer which came with it and the opportunity it gave 
for meeting the cousins which the occasion brought 
together; and to the elders it was the one day of the year 
when all cares were laid aside and family ties renewed 
and strengthened. It was held alternate years at Elm 
Hill and with Dr. Albert Smith and his wife, a sister of 
Mrs. Smith, in the village. All entered heartily into the 
plans and labors of preparation. There were many 
family councils, in which the children's opinions were 



24 Social and Family T,:i ). 



souj^'ht and heeded. ICvery relative within a radius of 
forty miles was bidden at least two weeks beforehand. 
Family serwints were made jjuests and had seals at the 
table. The number and kinds of pies were canvassed 
and the size and quality of the pudding were tlie theme 
of anxious debate. The larj^est and fattest chickens were 
chosen with care, and the one who bou<;ht the turkey 
was instructed to get the "best in the market." Like 
Sunday, the program of the day never varied. There 
were family prayers in the morning, but no Sunday 
School, or Bible passages to learn. All the male members 
of the two households attended church ; no labor beyond 
the care of the domestic animals was done. The break- 
fast was a plain meal, in order, as the young people 
supposed, to give keener appetites for the dinner. The 
board was set with the best table linen and china of the 
house, but there was no flowers or other decorations. 
There were never less than fifteen and generally from 
eighteen to twenty -two at the dinner table. The bill of 
fare was as generous as old-fashioned New lingland 
hospitality could devise. There was a huge roast of 
beef, chickens and turkey, all the different vegetables the 
farm produced, a great plum pudding and three or four 
kinds of pies. For drinks, cider (it held the chief place) 
and tea, but no coffee. No limits were placed upon the 
size or number of the helps, and it was no discredit to 
pass the plate for a second supply. Conversation was 
brisk, all the family stories both new and old were retold, 
and joy and happiness filled every heart. After the 
dinner, which usually lasted an hour and a half, the men 
retired to the sitting room and gathered about a roaring 
open fire to talk theology, politics and other questions 



Social and Family Life 25 

of the day; the ladies cleared away the dinner and the 
young people hurried to the barn or open air for the 
sports of the afternoon. 

One of the guests up to her death in 1858, was Fanny 
Smith, the eldest (by more than twenty years) surviving 
cousin of John and Dr. Albert Smith. She was a talented 
but eccentric woman, unmarried and lived alone in the 
village. She was a wit of the first order, a great reader 
and fond of disputation. Moreover she was a devout 
Calviuist and a warm admirer and disciple of William 
Lloyd Garrison, while her cousins, John and Albert, 
were Whigs and Channing Unitarians. It was a delight 
of these two men, after dinner, to get their cousin Fanny 
seated between them about the open fire and then attack 
her abolition and Calvinistic views. Both were sharp, 
witty, intelligent men and inveterate hectors. When 
they threw down the gauntlet of debate on these topics 
she never hesitated to pick it up, for in intelligence, wit 
and keenness of retort she was quite their match. The 
long discussions between these two strong men on the 
one side and the frail, toothless, white-haired little old 
lady on the other, the parry and thrusts of wit given 
and received, and the loud laughter of the three which 
echoed through the house, were a feature of those Thanks- 
giving gatherings not to be forgotten by those who 
witnessed them, so long as a memory of the old home 
remains. 

Cousin Fanny's wit cropped out on all occasions. 
She made frequent visits to Elm Hill, often of two or three 
weeks at a time. On one of these occasions she was 
holding a heated argument with her cousin John on her 
favorite subject of total depravity. In the midst of the 



26 Social and Family Life 



talk, Mr. Smith's eldest son, a strong, sturdy lad of 
eight or nine years, entered the room to shake hands 
with her as he had been bidden to do by his mother. As 
he came in cousin Fanny had the floor in defence of her 
belief. When he got within reach she placed her hand 
on his head, and without a break in her discourse 
continued, "A fine boy, John, a fine boy, but to -o- tally 
depraved." 

She establi>^hed and taught the first Sunday School 
ever held in Peterborough, and among her pupils was 
the late Rev. Dr. John II. .Morison. A short time 
before she died, in 1858, Dr. Morison, who was a large 
man, with long, white hair and beard, and verj- dignified 
and courteous in manner, called with one of his children 
to pay his respects to her. In course of the conversation 
he remarked: "Cousin Fanny, I was a member of a class 
in your Sunday School, and it was from you that I 
received my first religious impressions." Quick as a 
flash she rejoined: "And may you be better instructed 
from on High." 

A light tea followed in the early evening and by nine 
o'clock the guests had departed on their several ways. 
At these festivals family events were reviewed, the 
names and characteristics of kindred who had gone were 
recalled, and the political and social events of the day 
fully debated. Up to 1861, with one exception, no 
observance can be recalled when any shadow of mis- 
fortune or bereavement clouded the spirits of the 
gathering. The day lingers in my mind as one of the 
brightest of the many golden threads which run through 
the memory of life at IClin Hill. 







JOSIAH HHINNHY SMITH 



Social and Famii^y Life 27 

But the break was to come, and it came in a way 
that could not have been anticipated. The last of the 
gatherings at which all the families assembled was in 
November, 1860. There were nineteen at the table, 
among them seven young men of military age. The 
feast was never celebrated with greater zest or keener 
pleasure than in that year. No one saw the black cloud 
" no bigger than a man's hand " which hung over the 
national horizon and which was to bring sorrow and 
suffering to every home in the land. When the festival 
came around a year later, four of those who had sat at 
the table in November, 1860, were in the military 
service and ate their dinner in the open air amid the 
snow and chill winds of a bleak November day, namely, 
Capt. William P. Ainsworth, Josiah Phinney Smith, 
John Stearns Smith and Jonathan Smith. The four 
were either nephews or sons of iMrs. Smith. Before the 
festival in 1863, two of the four were " dead upon the 
field of honor" — Capt. Ainsworth, who was killed while 
leading his men in a cavalry charge at Fort Royal, Va., 
May 20, 1862; and Josiah P., who fell dead in the 
abatis at the foot of the Rebel breastworks at Port 
Hudson, June 14, 1863. No truer knights or braver 
men ever followed the Cross in the days of chivalry than 
they, A fifth was Sidney Stearns Smith, who entered 
the army in 1864, contracted malarial disease, lived a 
life of suffering a few years and died, as much a martyr 
for the Union as his brother Josiah. The sixth, Rev. 
M. T. Runnells, a nephew of Mrs. Smith, served as 
clerk for Rear Admiral Greene in the South Atlantic 
Squadron. Only one of those at the table in 1860 of 
military age failed to enter the service, but as he had 



28 Social and F'amily Life 



three brothers in the army or navy it is no discredit to 
family patriotism that he did not follow their example. 

After the war the families were much broken and the 
festivals were but a shadow of their former size and joy. 
I'ollowing Mrs. Smith's death, there were no guests, 
nor did the two families meet to observe the day. In 
1870 only four children and the father sat at the table, 
and the next year it was the same. In 1872, an 
invitation by Mrs. Rear Admiral Greene to dine with 
her at Brattleboro, Vt., was accepted. The last Thanks- 
giving dinner was in 1873, just as the home was breaking 
up. The farm and stock had been sold, and the 
preparations for shutting up the house — the first time 
in more than 120 years that it had been closed — were 
completed. Only Mr. Smith, his youngest daughter 
and two younger sons sat down to the table. Mrs. 
Smith, whose presence had been the light and benedic- 
tion to the feast, had gone. All the surviving cousins 
were widely scattered, and Dr. Smith and his wife were 
with their daughter in Indiana. It was a dark, raw, 
gloomy day, which deepened the shadows overhanging 
the board where mirth and good che«-r had reigned 
sui)reme in other days. Very little was said. Mr. 
Smith handed the carving knife to one of his sons and 
bade him do the honors of the table. It told simply but 
more plainly than words how completely the spirit of 
the day had departed from the heart of the sad and 
lonely old man, who had presided over the festivities in 
times gone by. It was a fitting close to the feasts which 
for more than a hundred years had been religiously kept 
at that hearthstone. 

There was no observance of Christmas, at least until 



Social and Family Life 29 



after the war. The schools held sessions as usual, and 
the family pursued their avocations as upon other days. 
The custom of giving presents did not begin until about 
the time of the war, and then in a modest and unob- 
trusive way. But Fast day was kept in strict Puritan 
fashion. There were family prayers in the morning, 
the usual church attendance, and a very plain, meagre 
dinner, barely sufficient to satisfy hunger. The boys 
were not forbidden to play ball or ride horseback, but 
they were not encouraged in these amusements. No 
work was permitted, and study of the Bible or Sunday 
lessons was not required. It was a true Biblical fast, 
as closely observed as any seventeenth century Puritan 
could desire. It was a day never looked forward to or 
back upon, and it lingers in the memory as a season 
uncolored by the social recreations and enjoyments of 
Sunday or the freedom and pleasures of other holidays. 
It has now ceased to be kept in many States, and where 
it still survives the old spirit of the day has long since 
departed from its observance. 

The farm houses of that period contained none of the 
modern conveniences. Furnaces were beyond the means 
of the farmers ; and double windows, storm doors and 
weather strips were unknown. The fireplaces furnished 
ample ventilation and the wind whistled in under the 
doors and around the windows through cracks wide 
enough to thrust in the little finger. Fresh air was 
never wanting in living or sleeping -rooms, however 
securely the doors might be battened or fastened, which 
in this house was never done. Up to 1858, the sole 
means of heating, besides the cook stove, was the 
fireplace, which in the cold weather would not warm the 



3u Social and Family Life 



room six feet away. Uii winter evening?, liic family 
formed a circle closely about the oi)en fire, and while the 
face was red with heat the cold chills ran up and down 
the back, compelling frequent reversals of position. 
The sleeping rooms were unheated, and ice formed in 
the pitchers almost as thick as in the open air. The 
inmates were accustomed to these— what would now be 
termed — hardships, and minded them uo more than the 
summer heat. The morning toilet was hastily made, 
and at night the inmates fortified themselves with hot 
bricks and heavy blankets, and so slept warmly and 
soundly. To the boys belonged the duty of building 
the fires through the cold season, and when snow had 
fallen, of shoveling paths to the pump, the drive-way, 
and the barn. The water for domestic u.se was taken 
from the well situate within a few feel of the kitchen 
door in the yard. During the cold weather the water 
was drawn down ; before it could be obtained a quantity 
had to be poured into the top and the handle worked 
vigorously until the air in the tube of the pump was 
exhausted, and then the water would rise. It was 
inconvenient, but it saved frozen pipes and plumbers' 
bills. From the first of May until December the cooking 
was done in the kitchen where the meals were served; 
in the warm weather, the table was spread in the dining 
room. After Thanksgiving the stove was moved to the 
dining room and the fire was lighted on the hearth of 
the north or south sitting room, which did not go out 
until the stove returned to the kitchen in the following 
May. About 1858 a freestone stove was set up in ihe 
south room in place of the open fire, which added much 
to the comfort of the family. In cooking the stove was 



Social and Family Life 31 

emplo\'ed, except that prior to making over the kitchen 
chimney in 1847 the old Dutch ovens were often used 
before the open fireplace to bake corn or barley bread 
and roast beef or chickens. When so used one of the 
children was set to watch and turn the spit, that the 
meat might be properly done on both sides, or give the 
alarm when the bread needed looking after. The brick 
oven superseded the Dutch kitchen, and in it was baked 
the bread, pastry, poultry and beans. Baking day was 
Saturday, and to one of the boys was given the duty of 
providing the "oven wood." This was kept burning in 
the oven for two or three hours until there was a large 
bed of coals and the bricks thoroughly heated. The 
coals were then withdrawn and the things to be cooked 
put in and the oven closed tight. The usual batch of 
bread was twelve loaves — six of brown bread and an 
equal number of white. Some of the loaves filled a six- 
quart milk pan. The brown bread was made of the best 
corn and rye meal in equal parts, well sweetened with 
molasses, and the white bread mixed with milk and clear 
wheat flour. For baking purposes the old-fashioned 
brick oven never had a rival. Its heat was even and 
steady, and the baking came out "done just to a turn," 
for there was no burning or over doing. As a way to 
bake beans, there was no equal to it, for one never 
knows the possibilities of this famous New England dish 
until he gets them steaming hot from a brick oven. 

If there was a poor family, or person living alone, in 
the neighborhood, Mrs. Smith saw to it that they had a 
share of each batch of bread as it came hot from the 
oven. In the fall of the year, barley flour, bolted like 
wheat, was much used for bread. When served hot — it 



32 Social Avr* Family Life 



was never eateu cold — it was a jjreat favorite, for it was 
nourishing and very palatable. Through the winter the 
table was supplied with the best of fresh meats, both of 
beef and pork. The slaughtc-ring was usually done 
about the first of December; all the choice parts were 
reser\'ed for winter consumption, and the remainder, 
filling two large barrels, was salted down for spring and 
summer use. The meat and market wagon never stopped 
at the door. Through the spring and summer the 
farmers had a system of exchange by which they kept 
themselves supplied with all the fresh meat they wanted 
through the hot weather. If one of them killed a calf or 
a lamb, three of the quarters were distributed among the 
neighbors, who repaid in kind when their turn for 
butchering came. 

The appetites of six growing children made a heavy 
draft on the sources of food supply, but there was always 
an abundance. In season the table was supplied with 
wild strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries 
ami huckleberries, sometimes eaten with cream and 
sugar and often cooked in pies and puddings. Little 
attempt was made to preserve them, for the art of 
canning had not then become known. In the autumn 
the cellar was filled with the products of the farm, 
including all kinds of vegetables, from six to ten barrels 
of apples, and — not the least — six barrels of cider, all 
of which was in the course of the year carried upstairs 
in a pint pitcher. Mr. Smith was very fond of it, and 
drank it with his meals two or three times a day. Tlie 
children were never denied free access to the barrel, nor 
were they ever warned against excessive use of the 
beverage, perhaps because there was no occasion. The 



Social and Family Life 33 

father was moderate in his temperance views. In his 
younger days he had joined a temperance society which 
pledged its members not to use spirituous liquors, a vow 
which he faithfully kept until late in life when he was 
advised to use them for his health. Even then he 
indulged very sparingly. He did not believe in total 
abstinence as a universal rule, and clung to his cider, 
claiming that it was a harmless and healthy drink when 
used with moderation. His cousin, Dr. Albert Smith, 
was a pronounced total abstainer and prohibitionist. 
Over the tea cups he and Mr. Smith had many long and 
earnest debates upon this unsettled question. Of course 
they never agreed, though later in life the Doctor came 
completely round to his cousin's view. The children 
were interested listeners to these discussions, and early 
got an insight into the pros and cons of this vexed 
subject. They talked over the arguments of the dis- 
putants among themselves, and their general conclusion 
was that their father had the best of the debate. 

The parents cultivated close social intercourse with 
their neighbors, between whom the relations were always 
of a friendly and cordial nature. It was the habit of 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith each winter to pass an evening with 
the different families of the neighborhood, a courtesy 
always returned, and so there was no lack of social life. 
The people frequently dined or took tea at one another's 
tables. Refreshments at the evening gatherings con- 
sisted of apples and cider, and the company discussed 
farm, neighborhood and church news, and exchanged 
opinions on politics and theology. Once every winter 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith made a day's visit to William Smith 
at the South Village, Uncle Billy, as he was called, Mr. 



34 Social and Family Life 



Smith's mother's younijest brother. The taiuily dis- 
cipline was strict, and all noise and hilarity had to be 
dropped at the threshold; but when the ])arents were 
away for the day or eveninj.^ the children took the reins 
in their own hands, and thinjjs were done which were 
not down in the parents' program. The necessarj' tasks 
were performed, but there was much added. Whatever 
there was good to eat in the house or could be made and 
consumed before the elders' return was set out and done. 
The house echoed to the noise of scuffling, practical 
joking, and trials of strength or skill. In the evening 
the neighboring children were invited in, the room 
closed and the chairs ranged about the stove and the 
open fire in the large dining room, and blind man's buff 
was played till all had had enough. They had their 
refreshments, too, of apples and cider, to which the)- 
added pop corn. When the parents returned late they 
often found the children asleep on the floor, beside the 
stove, the floor strewn with pop corn from one end to 
the other, but if no furniture was broken, the mother's 
gentle reproof of "Why, children!" was all that was 
said. The truth was that the pent up animal spirits of 
five or six healthy children boiled over at such times, as 
probably their parents understood ; and though they were 
noisy and sometimes rough, there was innocence of bad 
intent, and entire consistency wilh propriety and good 
morals. 

Mr. Smith would never quarrel with anybody, and 
though a resident in Peterborough nearly 75 years, he 
never had an unkind word or th(night against or with any- 
one, so far as his family ever knew. There was an irascible 
old gentleman in the neighborhooil, who lived by 



Social and Family Life 35 



himself. He was quick to take offense at an imaginary 
or real slight, and would often get a tiff at Mr. Smith, 
and refuse to go near or speak to him for weeks at a 
time. But he (iVlr. S.) never took the slightest notice of 
this and continued to treat him as if they were on the 
friendliest terms. By and by the man would come 
round and cultivate neighborly relations, but Mr. Smith 
nevei made allusion to the estrangement or inquire its 
cause. In all his intercourse with his neighbors he 
maintained the 77iens conscia recti, and sure that he had 
done no injustice he never had reason to render 
apologies. 



IN THE CIVIL WAR 



Outwardly the war brought little change in the 
conduct of the farm or the way of living. Hired help 
took the place of the sons in out -door labor. The two 
youngest daughters and the youngest son, a boy of nine 
years, were at home. The rise in the price of farm 
products kept nearly even pace with the increased cost 
of family supplies purchased, and, financially, there was 
no greater difficulty in making the two ends meet. The 
st>'le and manner of living were unchanued. During 
the War of 1812, Mr. Smith's father was compelled to 
curtail household expenses, and cut sugar and some 
other articles from the family supt lies, but there was 
nothing of this during the Civil War. In other ways, 
however, the home life was profoundly affected. Both of 
the elder sons entered the service in the fall of 1861. 
The Union army had met with many reverses, and the 
conviction had come that the struggle was to be a long 
and desperate one. Mr. Smith was strongly opposed to 
his second son's enlistment, on the ground, however, 
that he was not strong enough to endure the hardships, 
but at last consent was reluctantly given. From that 
moment until the end the parents were never free from 
fear and intense anxiety. The parting of the parents 
from their boys, when they finally left home to join 
their regiment, illustrates the different temperaments of 
the father and mother. The father stood erect, with his 



In the Civil War 37 

lips firmly set, his face slightly pale, and only a slight 
twitching of the muscles about the moutli betrayed his 
inward feelings. As he shook hands, he spoke no 
parting words, not even the homely advice of that other 
father on a similiar occasion: — "Take keer j'erself, 
John." A grasp of the hand, a searching look, and a 
simple "good-bye" were his farewell. But the mother's 
face was wet with tears. Her fingers, up to the last 
moment, were busy upon some article of comfort for her 
sons. An admonition that whatever happened they 
should preserve their moral integrity, a passionate 
embrace, and a fervent praj'er for their safety were her 
parting messages. Who will say that the one did not 
suffer as keenly as the other? And that it was true, 
neither son had a doubt. 

The news and literature of the war were of absorbing 
interest, and everything relating to the conflict was 
eagerly procured and read in the family. Mr. Smith 
subscribed for a daily paper — a luxury he had never 
before permitted himself, that he might keep fully 
informed. Mrs. Smith joined one of the Ladies' Aid 
Societies of the town, and labored with and for it 
diligently the whole four years. Her husband gave his 
assistance, making manj' and frequent donations of 
money and articles from the house and farm. Besides 
these general activities, the parents from time to time 
made up and sent to the regiment boxes filled with 
things that could minister to the appetite or comfort of 
their sons. Cakes, pies, roast chickens, jellies, 
wine, brandy, socks, underclothing, mittens, gloves, 
boots, handkerchiefs and medicines were among 
the articles forwarded. Most of the boxes reached 



Civil. War 



their destination, but one of them had an interest- 
ing; fate. It was sent out in the midst of Pope's 
campaign in front of Washing^ton in the summer 
of 1862. On August 27, 1862, the Confederate 
General Jackson's troops entered Manassas Junction in 
the rear of the Union army, and captured and destroyed 
vast quantities of Quartermaster's and Commissary's 
supplies there stored, and burned long trains loaded 
with army stores and on the way to the troops in the 
field. The Sixth New Hampshire regiment entered the 
place the next day, the Confederates having been driven 
out a few hours previously. The boys, while looking 
about among the burning and smoking ruins, discovered 
a box addressed to thi-m from home. It had been 
broken open and its entire contents, save a single pair of 
stockings in one corner of the box, somehow overlooked, 
had been approi)riated by the hungry enemy. Standing 
there amid the wreck and ruin of war, worn by a hard 
campaign and hungry for something good to eat, with 
the visions of the good things from their far-off home 
which the box had once contained, before their eyes, 
their feelings cannot be imagined at this distance of time 
and place from the scene, and description will not be 
attempted. 

For four years there was no intermission from this 
solicitude. The long lists of killed and wounded, 
published almost daily in the press when a campaign 
was on, were anxiously searched for news they feared 
to fintl. Fre(juent letters came from the front, giving 
details of life and duty in the cam]) or in the field. 
Often some came from tin- hospital, more dreaded still. 
Then there were long letters from the battlefield, giving 



In the Civil War 39 

the writer's observations and experiences in the last 
engagement. Others, frequently, from friends, with 
accounts of the wounding, ilhiess, or sometimes the 
death, of near friends and relatives at the front. The 
beginning of every new campaign brought fresh anxiety. 
When a great battle was imminent, or on, there was a 
hurrying to the Post Office with the arrival of every mail 
to learn the result. Often the messenger would be met 
on the way by a neighbor, who, as he hurried past, 
shouted the result with the names of the killed and 
injured, or of those who were supposed to be safe. 
And so it was from the time of the sons' enlistment 
until the end of the war. 

The progress of the struggle, the prospects of ultimate 
success or defeat, the sufferings and hardships of the 
men in the field, and schemes for alleviating and reliev- 
ing them, were the leading topics of discussion and 
interest, overshadowing every other in the family circle. 
Always present was the hard fact that there was little 
which could be done to soften or relieve them, and this 
added to the distress of the situation and the pain and 
hardships of the war. 

The mother was the chief correspondent of the 
family, and to her the first letter from the front after any 
great military event in which her sons shared was always 
written. John entered the service as private, October 
14, 1861; was made sergeant, promoted to orderly, then 
to 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, and for more than two 
years was adjutant of the regiment. He was three times 
wounded — at Bull Run, August 29, 1862, in the head; 
at Jackson, Miss., July, 1863, slightlj-- on the hip; and 
again slightly in the hand, July 30, 1864, at the battle of 



40 In the Civil War 



the Mine. Hi.- was mustered out by expiration of term, 
March 2, 1S65, left for W'ashinj^ton, took the examina- 
tion for a commission in Hancock's veteran corps, then 
organizing, and was made adjutant of a regiment. 
Later he was commissioned captain, and was mustered 
out, his services being no longer required, June 19, 
1866. In the Genealogy of the Morison Family will be 
found a list of the battles in which he took pait, together 
with the fitting tribute of his commanding officer to 
his worth as a man and his character as a soldier. 

The second son, Jonathan, was discharged for dis- 
ability, Dec. 20, 1862. The following July he was 
drafted but reiected by reason of "feebleness of consti- 
tution." In August, 1864, here-enlisted in the 1st New 
Hampshire Cavalry, was promoted sergeant, and was 
mustered out in July, 1865, by reason of the close of the 
war. 

Through the whole trying period, the fer\'ent patriot- 
ism of the two parents and their loyalty to the principles 
which underlay the struggle never faltered, nor was 
there any complaint by either at the trials they were 
called to bear. 



PUBLIC LIFE 



Mr. Smith's public life was very modest. He was 
alive to his duties as a citizen, and hardly, if ever, 
missed a school or town meeting through his whole life 
in town. When chosen to office he put his conscience 
and best intelligence into his official duties, and his 
services gave general satisfaction. He took especial 
interest in the affairs of his school district, and in one 
or the other office of moderator, clerk or prudential 
committee, served almost every year. He was appointed 
highway surveyor many times. In 1838, at the age of 
35, he was elected selectman by the following vote: 

John Smith 206 votes 

Riley Goodrich 82 

William Scott 78 

Scattering 5 

He was re-elected in 1839 and 1840, the last year 
being chairman of the board. In 1839, he was also a 
member of the committee of arrangements for the cen- 
tennial, but took no part in the exercises. The following 
year he served on the committee to rearrange the school 
districts of the town, and in 1841, assisted in the 
relocation of the school house in district No. 5. In 
1859, he was nominated by his party as a republican 
canditate for representative. The vote in the caucus 

was: 

John Smith 65 votes 

A. A. Farnsworth 60 

6 






( i 



42 PuuLic Life 

Mr. l'"aiii.sworlh was i>uc ul his iicait-sl nci>;libors 
and a close friend, but there was no elation on Mr. 
Smith's part, nor any coolness on the part of his 
neighbor from his defeat. The vote in town meeting 
was as follows: 

Asa F. Gowing, Republican, had.... 272 votes 
John Smith " " ....269 " 

Frederick Livingston, Democrat, had. 147 
Witcomb I'Vench " " .145 

The following year, Mr. Smith was again one of the 
candidates, and the vote stood as follows: 

John Smith, Republican 278 votes 

A. A. Farnsworth " 262 " 

James G. White, Democrat 171 

Frederick Livingston " 1S4 

He attended the legislature ever>' day it was in 
session, and was a member of the Committee of Agri- 
culture voting with his party on all political questions, 
and on other questions as his judgmt-nt required. 
He was averse to public speaking, and took no 
part in the debates. There were few men in 
town who in private could express their opinion 
in clearer, better chosen language than he when 
he chose to do so. But his innate diffidence anil the 
hardening effects of his avocation early (juenched a flame 
that under other influences would have won for him a 
conspicuous place as a ready and forcible public speaker. 
In his younger days he was active in many things that 
train a man for a public life. He was one of the founders 
of the Dramatic Club, instituted by the young people of 
the town at Wilson's Tavern, in 1827. He was also a 



Public Life 43 



member of the Town Lyceum, organized December 13, 
1828, took part in its debates and read three papers 
before it — one on the Silk Culture, into which he 
embodied the results of the experiment in silk culture at 
Elm Hill; another on the advantages of Agricultural 
Societies; and a third on the Pursuit of Happiness. He 
had a part, too, in a drama entitled "Abaeligo," which 
was given in the old church on the afternoon of July 4, 
1827; also in a drama given in the hall of Wilson's 
Tavern, November 28, 1827; and in another given in 
March, 1830. There is no information as to his activ- 
ities in this direction after the last date. When the farm 
was intrusted to his care, he gave to it all his strength, 
and inclination to literary effort apparently soon died out. 
On the twentieth of August, 1836, Rev. Dr. Abiel 
Abbot, the Pastor of the Unitarian Society in Peter- 
borough, gave his library to the parish for the use of its 
ministers, and named as trustees, Abiel Abbot, Thomas 
Payson, John Smith, Elijah Dunbar and William Moore. 
The deed of trust stipulated that, ceasing to be members 
of the society the ofl&ce of the trustee so leaving was 
vacated and the remaining members were to fill the 
place. This library began with 103 volumes of books 
and nine volumes of tracts. It was further provided 
in the conveyance that the trustees should procure an 
act of incorporation from the Legislature. This was 
done, and is dated June 28, 1838, and the corporation 
was named the "Peterborough Ministerial Library." 
The charter was accepted September 12, 1838. In 1839, 
the Librar}^ had increased to 189 volumes of books and 
16 volumes of pamphlets, and in 1852, to 703 voluoies 
of books, 86 volumes of pamphlets, and 431 single tracts 



44 Public Like 



and pamphlets. These additions were from Dr. Abbot 
and different authors and publishing houses. The 
corporation never had any funds, nor, so far as the 
records show, was any assessment ever made upon its 
members for its support. The last meeting of the 
trustees was held January 1, 1865. At that time, Mr. 
Smith was the only one of the original trustees living in 
town and present at the meeting. The records show no 
vote dissolving or winding up the corporation or dispos- 
ing of its property. The library is now in the custody 
of the society, and is kept at the parsonage of the parish. 
In early life, like all of his family, Mr. Smith was a 
stanch Federalist, and when that party dissolved he went 
over to the Whigs, voting that ticket down to 1855. He 
was a great admirer of Webster, carefully reading all 
his published speeches. He was permitted to hear Mr. 
Webster once, in a speech at Francetown in the political 
campaign of 1840. The address made a strong impress- 
ion on his mind, for he often referred to it and was fond 
of repeating some of the arguments and incidents of 
the speech to his children. But he could not follow the 
great expounder in his later years. He strongly opposed 
the Fugitive Slave Law, and dissented from many ot 
the doctrines laid down by Webster in his famous 
Seventh of March speech, for hv wnuld accept nothing 
that looked like a justification of slavery, or a compromise 
with it. When the Whig party died in 1855, he joined 
the Know Nothings, and acted with them for two years. 
The Know Nothings were a secret society, and his 
adhesion to them was an act so contrar>' to his well 
known opinions regartling secret societies that when, 
years afterwards, one of his sons asked for an explana- 



Public Life 45 



tion, he replied that the National administration had 
become corrupt and so servile to the demands of the 
South that he was ready to join any organization that 
could possibly curb the slave power and prevent the 
further acquisition of slave territory. Upon the organi- 
zation of the Republican Party in 1856 he united with it 
and firmly supported its principles and policy as long as 
he lived. 

The New York Tribune was his political authorit3^ 
and he read it with close attention and interest. He 
attended all the political mass meetings and rallies, and 
read diligently the speeches of his party leaders on the 
stump and in Congress. Details of party work were 
often committed to him, which he faithfully performed. 
While strongly opposed to slavery, he had no sympathy 
with the extreme opinions of Phillips and Garrison, and 
combated their doctrines whenever opportunity offered. 
One of the few occasions when he was seen to show real 
enthusiasm was in earlj'^ February, 1855, when N. P. 
Banks was chosen speaker of the National House of 
Representatives after a bitter contest of two months. It 
was a cold, snowy day, and he had driven home from 
New Ipswich in an open wagon, ten miles, in the face of 
a driving storm. At New Ipswich he had learned of 
Banks' election. Chilled through with the cold, he 
burst into the room where his family were assembled, 
and his first words were, "Banks is Speaker! Banks is 
Speaker." His earnest manner showed the depth and 
sincerity of his opinions, and how keenly he appreciated 
the far-reaching consequences of that event. 

As with his father before him, the Church held 
foremost place in his thoughts and activities. He was 



46 Public Life 



regular ami jmnctual in liis attendance upon public 
worship, often walking when the condition of the roads 
would not permit the use of a team. He serv'ed as 
teacher or superintendent of the Sunday School until he 
was past 56 years of age, and for many years was one of 
the Standing Committee of the Parish. When his 
father died, in 1842, he was chosen deacon to fill the 
vacancy, an office he adorned until 1876, when he 
removed from town, 35 years, making 99 successive 
years the position had been filled by the proprietors of 
Elm Hill. His house was the home of visiting clergy- 
men, as it had been in the days of his father before him, 
and he was jealous of the good name and reputation of 
the church on all occasions. One of the few times he 
was ever known to make a speech was to defend its 
good name. A real estate owner in the vicinity of the 
church had inadvertently placed a small portion of his 
building upon the land of the society. A meeting was 
called to consider what should be done. One of the 
prominent members led off in some strong remarks 
advocating legal proceedings, and that course seemed 
likely to be adopted. Mr. Smith took the floor and 
vigorously opposed, saying that it was inconsistent with 
their professions as members of a religious society to 
meet the difficulty in that way until every other means 
of settlement had been exhausted. They should illus- 
trate their professions by a neighborly request to tlie 
trespasser to meet with them and talk over the matter 
in a friendly spirit and • ec- if the matter could not be 
adjusted by mutual concessions. As a religious soci. ly, 
that was the right thing to do. He carried a majority 
of the meeting with him, and the affair was satisfactorily 



Public Life 47 



settled. The interested party was always grateful to Mr. 
Smith for this manifestation of a true Christian spirit, 
and often told of it after he had passed away. 

Mr. Smith belonged to the Channitig school of 
religious thought, and was broadly tolerant of opinions 
he could not himself accept. Dissenting strongly from 
the religious views of Theodore Parker, he ne;^ertheless 
criticised severely the action of the Unitarian ministers 
of Boston in refusing to exchange pulpits with him. 
When the great preacher occupied the desk of the 
church in Peterborough, as he sometimes did in the 
summer season, Mr. Smith never failed to go and hear 
him. But he had the teachable spirit. The mighty 
events between 1860 and 1870 wrought a radical change 
in his opinions and gradually he came to accept the new 
light on theological questions as fully as he did in social 
and political affairs. At the bottom of his nature was an 
optimistic spirit. He lived to see many of the views 
and creeds on which he was brought up, and which he 
had fully accepted in his earlier and middle life, dis- 
credited or cast aside. Yet he persistently believed that 
the world was steadily growing better and that justice 
and righteousness would finally prevail. Conservative 
in business ways and old-fashioned in his ideas of 
training and educating his children, clinging fast to out- 
grown methods in conducting his farm, he yet accepted 
the teachings of discovery and scholarship, and inter- 
preted correctly the logic of events, though in so doing 
he was compelled to reject the most cherished convictions 
of his earlier years. 

In 1860, one year after its organization, he was 
chosen a trustee of the Peterborough Savings Bank, and 



48 Public Like 



continued to serve until 1871, when he withdrew. 
After his death, the trustees invited his children to 
furnish his jiortrait for the rooms of the bank, which 
was gladly dune, whereupon the trustees passed the 
following resolutions: 

"Whereas at the semi-annual meeting of the Trustees 
of the Peterbt)rough Savings Bank, held July 12, 1890, 
the President jiresented the portrait of Deacon John 
Smith, a former Trustee, to be hung in the Trustees' 
Room, said portrait being the gift of the children of 
Deacon Smith, Therefore, Resolved: 

That the thanks of the Board be returned to the 
donors for this valuable gift. 

That it will be to us a constant reminder of one who 
was faithful to the many positions to which he was 
assigned by his fellow citizens, and with satisfaction we 
can ask those who succeed him to emulate his example. 

A true copy from the Record. 

Attest M. L. Morrison, Treasurer and Secretary." 



LAST YEARS 



Up to 1860, Mr. Smith made improvements in his 
farm every year. Each season he brought some portion 
of his land into better condition. His fences were kept 
in thorough repair, stone walls were built or rebuilt 
whenever necessary, new drains laid and the buildings 
maintained in good condition. He took pride and 
satisfaction in these improvements, for it was all done 
by the labor of himself and sons. His means did not 
permit the regular employment of hired labor, for he 
would never incur expense where he could not see sure 
and speedy returns. 

At the beginning of the war, improvements ceased. 
He was beginning to feel the effects of age, and the 
absence of his sons required the hiring of labor to fill 
their places. He ceased to improve his buildings, but 
kept them wind and water tight, and did no more upon 
the land than was necessary to raise the crops, of which 
he grew less with each succeeding year. The hard and 
unremitting toil of many years had undermined his 
physical constitution and gradually brought on an 
affection of the heart — Angina Pectoris — which finally 
caused his death. He was not conscious of the real 
trouble until after the close of the rebellion, but it had 
impaired his ability to labor for some time before its 
presence was recognized. In the latter part of the war 



50 Last Years 



and for a few years succeed iiiji^, the home was the scene 
of much social life and activity. Mr. Smith's sister 
(Mrs. Foster) and her dau^^hters, with their f:.milies, 
from Chicaj^o, spent portions of their summers there. 
The children, when able to do so, came back to pass 
their vacations, and the place continued to be, as it 
always had been, the general headquarters of all the 
Western cousins when visiting in the East. It was also 
the hospitable resort of Mrs. Smith's relatives, who 
were quite as strongly attached to it as those to "the 
manner born." All comers received a cordial welcome, 
and none enjoyed their presence more than Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith, who placed their time and services at the 
disposal of their guests. Many of the visitors were 
young people, who entered heartily into the life of the 
home. There were frequent excursions to places of 
interest, rides and picnics, and there was more social 
life and gaiety than the house had known for many 
years. With the approach of cold weather the family 
circle was contracted within narrow limits, all festivity 
ceased, and the household was restricted to the parents 
and seldom to more than two of the children. 

As the years went on, especially after 1S65, Mr. 
Smith withdrew more and more from active labor. He 
reduced his stock and sold his outlying land, so that 
by 1870 his holdings included his home place only. 
Some portions on the southerly side of his farm were 
afterwards disposed of. lie had the assistance of his 
youngest son, with some hired help in the busiest 
portions of the season ; and though he never entirely 
ceased from labor while he owned the i)lace, in the last 
years his heart affection had become so pronounced and 



lyAST Years 51 



the occasional suffering so severe that his efforts were 
principally confined to superintendence. 

It had been the hope of Mr. and Mrs. Smith that one 
of the two elder sons would consent to remain at home, 
take the farm and care for them in their old age as Mr. 
Smith had done before them. When the war broke out, 
John was nearly ready for college and was expecting to 
enter the following year. After his discharge from the 
army in 1866, he went to Chicago, where he soon had a 
position in the railway mail service. The second son 
immediately upon leaving the military service left home 
to fit for college. When the question was presented to 
them one had served in the army four and a half and the 
other more than two years. Both had seen the withering 
results of a life of hard and unremitting toil on a New 
Hampshire farm upon the father and mother, that it had 
narrowed their lives and usefulness, dulled mental 
powers of exceptional strength and clearness, and de- 
prived them of that intellectual growth and culture both 
had so earnestly craved. When the issue was presented 
they had seen enough of the world, added to what they 
had witnessed at home, to raise in their minds the fair 
question whether, on the whole, it was their highest 
duty to follow in their father's footsteps, when he sacrificed 
his own hopes and ambition thirty -five years before. It 
is a question of ethics and filial duty upon which others 
must pass judgment. The choice was made with painful 
deliberation, in view of all the facts of the situation, and 
they must bear any censure which their choice may 
justly deserve. Thej^ can only remark, as did Herbert 
Spencer in a similar instance: "In human life, as we at 
present know it, one of the saddest traits is the dull 



52 Last Ykars 



sense of filial obligations which exist at the time when 
it is possible to discharge them with something; like 
fulness; in contrast with the keen sense of them which 
arises when such discharj^e is no longer possible." It 
was a severe disappointment to the father and mother, 
but tlicy seldom alluded to it and never censured the 
decision. 

In 1870, the family at home consisted of the parents 
and youngest son. Susan had for some time made her 
home with the family of Rear Admiral Greene. Caro- 
line, in 1867, obtained a position in the Public Schools 
of Chicago. The eldest son and daughter also resided 
there. The second son passed his vacations at home 
and for two winters tauglit the district school and lived 
in the family. But the absent children wrote long and 
frequent letters to their mother, and these helped to 
reconcile the parents to their absence, and were a great 
comfort to them. The habit of reading aloud was con- 
tinued by Mr. Smith. He kept his interest in the events 
of the day, and having, as did Mrs. Smith, a keen sense 
of humor, he read aloud in the Yankee dialect, and he 
could render it with excellent effect, the Higelow Papers, 
which both greatly enjoyed. Another book he often 
read was the political satires of Petroleum \'. Xasby, 
then popular for they were upon passing public men and 
events. Friends and relatives when they found a good 
book frequently sent or loaned it, so that they were 
constantly supplied with the best literature of the day. 
The reading aloud would continue for an hour or more, 
then the book would be laid aside and the two would 
have long di.scussions over the author, thus fixiug the 
thoughts firmly in mind. And so, as they grew old 



Last Years 53 



together, their minds were kept bright and active and in 
close touch with what was going on in the world around 
them. 

In January, 1870, for the first time in twenty -three 
years, death invaded the family circle, and Mrs. Smith, 
after four days' illness, fell a victim to that dread disease, 
pneumonia. The youngest son was at home, but all the 
other children were widely scattered. Frances, John 
and Caroline were in Chicago. Susan in Pensacola, 
Florida, and Jonathan in Southeastern Massachusetts. 
Of the absent, only the latter and Caroline were able to 
be present at the funeral. The services were held at 
the house and were very simple. The day was one of 
the worst of the winter; a heavy northeast storm of rain 
and sleet prevailing, and the attendance was small. 
Rev. A. M. Pendleton, a Unitarian minister residing in 
town, and Rev. Geo. Dustan, the Congregational clergy- 
man of the place and a friend of the family, conducted 
the services. In the sketch of Mrs. Smith, in another 
place, will be found the children's tribute to their 
mother. In place of the mother, Caroline assumed 
direction of the house, and remained in charge until the 
farm was sold in the fall of 1873. She took the vacant 
place at a sacrifice, relinquishing her position as teacher 
at a great loss of opportunity and pleasant associations, 
and for nearly four years gave her time and health in 
caring for her father, making his home comfortable and 
happy as possible and in preserving the traditions of 
the home for good cheer and generous entertainment to 
the friends and relations who still were glad to come 
there. She administered the duties of hostess with a 
devotion which cost her great labor and no little respon- 



54 Last Years 



sibility, lor which her physical streny^th was not equal; 
but she earned the gratitude of all those who loved the 
old home and enjoyed her painstaking hospitality. 

After the death of Mrs. Smith, little more was done 

than to keep things together, though in the summer time 

the social life continued much as before. True, there 

was a large vacancy in the home, the children were 

older and there was less of the joyous hilarity than had 

prevailed in former years. Hut the house was often 

filled to repletion with guests, and the spirit of kinship 

and good cheer was as strong and as much enjoyed b}' 

hosts and guests as ever. It was a feature that came 

into the life of the place at its foundation and did not 

depart until the end. The last time any great festivity 

was observed there was the wedding reception of Susan, 

held in June, 1873. She had married Eugene Lewis, 

Esq., of Moline, 111., at Brattleboro, Vt., June 3rd, and 

they came directly to Peterborough. The house was 

beautifully decorated with flowers and thrown wide open. 

Both had hosts of warm friends who came to tender 

their congratulations and good wishes. It was a fitting 

festivity to mark the close of the social features of the 

life at Elm Hill, which had been maintained for more 

than a century and a quarter. When all was over, Mr. 

and Mrs. Lewis departed for their Western home, and 

there was nothing more for the inmates but to wait for 

the closing scenes which were soon to come. 

December 9, 1873, Mr. Smith sold the farm to Wm. 
H. Wilson of New Ipswich, for $3000 cash. The 
change was one impossible to avoid, and for some time 
it was seen to be inevitable. In Novcujbcr of the same 
year an auction was held at which the slock and haj' 



Last Years 55 



were sold off, and the first of December the house was 
closed. Caroline returned to Chicago to resume her 
position as teacher, and Mr. Smith found a home with 
his old friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Gowing, in 
the village. The three had been warm friends from 
childhood, and it was a great good fortune to Mr. Smith 
that he could find a resting place in their family. They 
had many things in common, and entertained a warm 
regard for each other which had covered a lifetime. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gowing did everything possible for his 
comfort and spared no pains to make him feel at home. 
They also opened their doors to the children and minis- 
tered to their cheer and convenience as if they had been 
their own sons and daughters. It is due to the memory 
of Mr. and Mrs. Gowing and also to their daughters, 
Mrs. Albert Taggart and Mrs. Albert Sawyer, that the 
children should place in the family record their deep 
sense of gratitude toward them for their kindness to 
their father, and for their many acts of thoughtful regard 
and hospitality to themselves. 

In the spring of 1874, another auction was held at 
the farm, when all the house furniture and other personal 
property was sold off. It was a hard trial for the father 
to see the instruments of labor and comfort which he, 
his father and grandfather had used, and around which 
gathered memories of toil, of household festivities, of 
self denial, and of sacrifice and success for more than a 
hundred years, pass into the hands of strangers, but he 
made no complaint. Apparently he was the least 
interested person present, though it was a relief when the 
scene ended and he and his sons could get away. 

His disposition, always even and cheerful, did not 



56 Last Years 



give way under the strain. In the summer of 1874, he 
made a trip to the West, going alone, his first journey 
since 1832. He visited his sister and her children's 
families in Chicago, and went abo to Moline, Illinois, 
where his daughter, Mrs. Lewis, resided, and was absent 
several weeks. He was now freed from all cares, and 
he seemed to renew his youth. The reticence and 
reserve of his mature years relaxed. He visited his 
friends about town daily, and cultivated the comradeship 
of the children, with whom he became a great favorite. 
He liked to talk to and walk with them, seldom going 
upon the street without some candy in his pocket with 
which to treat them, and they soon began to watch for 
his coming and became his fast friends. Up to the time 
he sold his farm, he had seldom written letters to his 
children except upon some urgent business, but now he 
took up the family correspondence, wrote long and 
frequent epistles to his ab.sent sons and daughters, which 
he filled with the news and gossip of the town and into 
which he wove much of his Scotch -Irish wit and humor. 
He read a good dtal, went often to places of amusement, 
which he was never known to do when on the farm, and 
in every way made the best of the situation. But under- 
neath this cheerful exterior, there was a deep sense of 
personal loss which rarely found expression in words. 
Every pleasant day he was accustomed to climb the high 
hill west of the river, which commanded a fine view of 
the old place, and there would gaze long and earnestly 
at his former home. He u.sually went alone, but if any 
of the children were in town he invited them to accom- 
pany him. At such times he would sonntinics indnl^e 
iu reminiscences of the farm during his own or father's 



Last Years 57 



life, but no words of regret passed his lips. A long, 
deep sigh as he turned to go away was the only 
expression of the thoughts and feelings beneath. While 
his health was fairly good, it was apparent to his friends 
that he was slowly breaking down. After his removal 
to Chicago he came east every summer, making the 
journeys alone. He visited his children, renewed his 
friendships with old neighbors, and passed a month or 
six weeks in the happiest way. His last visit was in 
June, 1881, but a few months before his death. His 
physical strength and his memory had visibly failed, but 
he seemed in his usually cheerful spirits and got 
satisfaction and pleasure from his trip as in former times. 
Mr. Smith continued to reside with Mr, and Mrs. 
Gowing until 1876, when, accepting an invitation many 
times repeated, he removed to Chicago and spent the 
remainder of his days in the family of his son John. 
He was then in his seventy -fourth year, and his interest 
in current events had declined. His memory for passing 
events had failed to a considerable extent, and he lived 
largely in the past, but his cheerful disposition never 
forsook him. He had a pleasant and comfortable home, 
and he seemed to appreciate and enjoy it. His 
daughter-in-law and her mother did everything possible 
to minister to his needs and comfort, and he was grateful 
for their attentions. He made no trouble to anj'one, 
and never complained or found fault. He occupied a 
cheerful, sunny room for a sitting room and a smaller 
adjoining room for a bedroom. Much of his time was 
passed in an armed rocking chair beside the window, 
reading. His reading did not take the wide range of 
former years, but was confined mainly to the New 



58 Last Yhars 



Testament and Psalms, the Peterborouj^h Transcript and 
the History ol Peterborough. He read also with pleas- 
ure and satisfaction two large volumes entitled Eminent 
Men and Women of Knrope and America, and also the 
Chicago Tribune daily. He did not care to go to 
church. Probably the fashionable character of a city 
audience was not to his liking. He would take long 
walks nearly every day about the suburbs where he 
lived, and on these tramps was frequently accompanied 
by his granddaughter, a girl of five or six years. In his 
daily course of life he was punctuality itself, visited the 
neighboring post office every day at a stated time and 
with such regularity that the neighbors said they 
regulated their clocks by his movements. As in Peter- 
borough, so in his new home, he made friends with the 
children, and never failed to take with him a small box 
of confectionery to treat the boys and girls who always 
waylaid him on his way to and from the post oflSce. He 
often made trips down town on the cars, which caused 
his son's family much anxiety, but no accident befell 
him. He seldom attended the theatre, but enjoyed and 
often went to the circus and menagerie and to animal 
shows. On one occasion after he had visited "Harnum's 
Greatest Show on Earth," for two successive afternoons, 
his son took occasion to good-naturedly joke liim about 
it, and said, "Father, your views on the subject of the 
circus seem to have undergone a great change during 
the past 25 years." "O, yes! yes!" he answered, with 
a twinkle in his eye, "the world moves." 

He made occasional trips with his son on the Postal 
car through Illinois, but he did not seem to care much 
for new scenes and experiences. Hut love of the old 



IvAST Years 59 



remained steadfast. He eagerly looked forward to his 
annual trip to New England, and could hardly wait for 
the weather to become suflSciently warm and settled to 
make traveling comfortable. When asked if it did not 
give him a great shock to break away from the associa- 
tions of a lifetime and change from New Hampshire to 
Illinois in his old age, he replied: "Yes, but the wrench 
came when I left the old farm. It was like uprooting 
one of the great elms ; after that it did not make much 
difference what happened." 

He was self-contained and uncomplaining to the last, 
and while there must have been some feeling of loneli^ 
ness, he showed no evidence of discontent, and his last 
years were a happy example of a serene and peaceful old 
age. 

When the end came, he was mercifully spared the 
suffering of a long illness. On Sunday afternoon of 
August 28th, 1881, he started out for his usual walk. 
The weather was hot and sultry, and he had not been 
quite in his usual health for several days, but no one 
dreamed that the end was near. He had not gone far 
before he returned, and starting for his room fell at the 
foot of the stairs. He was speedily removed to his 
apartments and a physician summoned, but before the 
doctor arrived he passed away without having regained 
consciousness, a victim of the disease which had so long 
been upon him. How much he had suffered from it in 
previous years was never known, for he was always 
reticent about himself, and never complained of his 
physical ailments. His remains were taken to Peter- 
borough. The funeral service was in the church 
which he had served so long and with such filial 



60 Last Ykars 



devotion, and was condvictL-d by Rev. Dr. J. H. 
Morison, who had kuowii him and hi.s family all his 
life. All that was mortal of him was buried beside his 
wife in the family lot in the cemetery near the river 
where, near and around him, so many of his kindred 
sleep. He had earned his translation to a higher 
sphere by a long life of probity and rectitude. 

John Smith was of Scotch -Irish stock. His father 
and mother were first cousins; each was of the pure 
blood, and the salient traits of the race were intensified 
in the son. He was about five feet ten inches tall, very 
muscular, broad shouldered, erect in carriage, and 
would weigh near 170 pounds. His eyes were blue, 
and he had dark brown hair and a florid complexion. 
His walk, when on any errand of duty, was a stride. 
At such times he seemed entirely absorbed in the 
business in hand, never looking to the right hand or 
left, and seldom observed anything going on about him. 
He had a habit of whispering to himself, and his 
thoughts were often emphasized by gestures, though 
never expressed in words. He was wanting in all the 
elements of the radical, and if he had originality, he 
rarely used it, or if he did he carried it no farther than 
his reason and judgment would permit him to go. 
Self-contained and conservative in his mental cast, he 
never seemed to know fear or anxiety. His affection 
for his family was never put into words, and only on 
rare occasions did it betray itself in liis manner. Often 
it was only by a chance remark, after all was over, that 
his care and scjlicitude was revcakd. Such men, 
uafortunalely, go through the world misunderstood and 
are often misjudged, and that his reputation suffered 



Last Years 61 



from this trait among those who did not know him 
intimately there is no doubt. But when the mental 
peculiarities of his race and the narrowing effects of life 
on a New Hampshire farm upon a temperament such as 
his are kept in mind, any judgment that he was cold or 
indifferent must be reversed, for he was neither the one 
nor the other. While reserved and often taciturn toward 
his children, yet he was always careful of their health 
and welfare. He would neither permit nor suffer them 
to do any labor if feeling ill, and on the slightest 
suggestion of exhaustion or sickness they were promptly 
dismissed from all duty. If at certain times of the year 
he required of them hard labor, he gave them ample 
opportunity for rest and recreation when the stress was 
over. He never watched them or sought to pry into 
the way they had spent their time, unless he was 
convinced that they had neglected their duty or 
disobeyed his instructions. If a task was done and 
well done within reasonable limits, it answered all his 
requirements, and he was satisfied. He assumed that 
they knew what was right as well as he, and he took it 
for granted that they would do right. This was the 
keynote of his family government, and his children 
understood it. 

In speech and thought he was singularly pure 
minded, for he was never known to utter a profane, 
vulgar, or irreverent word. In whatever language a 
story came to him, if he repeated it, as he often did, the 
incident was retold in language that would not offend 
the most sensitive ears. Though habitually self- 
controlled, he had underneath a strong temper, and 
when it exploded, as it sometimes did, his wrath never 



62 Last Years 



lound expression in coarse or abusive language, but was 
clothed in chaste English delivered with an emphasis 
that left no doubt of his meaning. 

His colloquial powers were good, and his conversa- 
tion with friends was interesting and instructive, for it 
was the expression of much reading and reflection. 
When his children could get him to talking he was 
equally entertaining, for he was clear in his statements 
and expressed himself in ways that could be easily 
understood. His sense of humor was keen and he had 
much of the wit and penchant for ridicule so character- 
istic of his race. In his reading, when he came upon 
some facetious description or droll incident in Dickens 
or the Bigelow Papers, he would lean back in his chair 
and laugh until the tears rolled down his cheeks. In 
conversation with his wife and children after reading a 
witty story or passage from some humorous writer, he 
often wove into his talk the substance of the joke 
dressed in the language of the author. Carling, the 
artist, of St. Paul, Minnesota, who painted his portrait 
but who had never seen or known him, said the 
expression of his face indicated a keen sense of humor, 
and it reminded him of the face of Burton, the comedian. 
He delighted to hear and tell a good story, and could 
render one in the Scotch -Irish dialect in a most 
entertaining way. Of the good name of his predecessors 
upon the homestead for integrity and justice he was very 
proud, and he preserved and illustrated their virtues 
through his life. Not once was he ever accused or 
suspected (jf any unfairness, decei^tion or dishonesty. 
He early won the confidence of his townsmen for honor 
and upright dealing, a confidence which he never 



Last Years 63 



betrayed and never lost, and which grew firmer as time 
went on. He was the trusted friend and counsellor of 
his neighbors in their business and private affairs, and 
when in distress he was always among the first to go to 
their assistance. He made it a duty to make friendly 
visits to any poor families who might be living in the 
vicinity, and no differences of politics or religion inter- 
fered with his kindly offices in this regard. His 
sympathy was not so much in the words he uttered as in 
the deeds of thoughtful helpfulness he performed for 
them. 

Public office he never sought, and the few honors 
which came to him were the unsolicited gifts of his 
fellow citizens. When entrusted with public, as with 
private, duty, he gave to its performance the best he 
was capable of intelligence and fidelity, and his dis- 
charge of the trust was accepted with satisfaction. Pure 
in mind, intelligent and firm in his convictions, clear 
and conscientious in his sense of right and duty he 
filled his modest station in life with rare fidelity and 
with a conscience "void of offense toward God and 
toward man." He left behind him a name for personal 
and civic worth of more value to his descendants than 
many riches. He will not be long remembered save by 
those who personally knew him; and yet the query of 
President Eliot may well be repeated of him: "Is it not 
for countless, quiet, simple lives like this that God made 
and upholds the earth?" 

His life has been referred to in these pages and 
elsewhere (Home of Smith Family, p. 191) as in some 
sense a tragedy. Perhaps the term is too strong — it 
depends upon the point of view. Almost all of his 



64 Last Years 



rclaiivcs who went west in the thirties accumulated 
haiidsomc properties, and his energy, industry and thrift 
would doubtless have brought him a like success. He 
had no aptitude for trade, and with his education he 
must needs have been a farmer. T^etween 1830 and 
1850, life on a western farm was full of exposure antl 
hardship, and there was an absence of those comforts 
and opportunities for social enjoyment and intellectual 
culture which did much to relieve existence on a New 
England farm. But the returns for the same amount of 
labor and self-denial were far greater and were reason- 
ably sure to win comparative exemption from toil toward 
the end. At a time of life when he was entitled to 
freedom from the exactions of unremitting labor, he 
could, had he settled in the west, probably have had it 
and enjoyed the privileges of a competence. As it was, 
after the hard work of a lifetime he financially found 
himself at the close about where he was in the beginning. 
The effects of such a life upon his disposition and 
temper need not be here repeated. The yielding of his 
own to his parents' wishes, with its nearer and remoter 
consequences, gives to the story of his life some elements 
of tragedy. 

Hut there is another side. He outlived all his 
brothers and sisters who went west, except Mrs. Foster 
and Jeremiah, by many years. His life was long, very 
useful, and on the whole a happy one, and his influence 
in the community where he lived was as strong as it 
was beneficent. He was honored with the confidence 
and esteem of all who knew him to the end. Material 
prosperity and the favors of fortune arc not, after all, the 
supreme tests of a successful life. Integrity, fidelity, 



Last Years 65 



devotion to high and noble ideals, an honorable position 
and a good name attained and kept among neighbors 
and friends — these are the standards by which a man's 
success or failure should be tried. In these aspects of 
his life, while we may regret many of its hard con- 
ditions, it was a profound success, for he was a worthy 
successor to the grandfather and father who had founded 
and transmitted to him the OLD HOME. 



Susan Stearns Smith 



''Her children arise up and call her blessed.'" 

— Proverbs. 




SUSAN STKAKNS SMITH 



THE LINE OF SUSAN STEARNS 



Stearns, to the New England antiquarian and geneal- 
ogist, is Sterne. The name is so written in Winthrop's 
Journal and in the oldest records of Watertown and of 
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. It is singular that no 
descendant of the three emigrants of 1630 has ever 
reverted to this, the original and undoubtedly correct 
form of the name. 

In the collections of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society, Series III., Volume X., may be found a paper 
on the Suffolk emigrants by David Hunter, giving the 
results of his study of the Manuscript of one Matthais 
Candler. This Manuscript is now in the British Museum. 
It is in two parts, and the second part gives much 
information regarding several Suffolk families who fol- 
lowed Winthrop to New England. At the close of his 
paper Mr. Hunter says : — 

"This does not pretend to be a complete account of 
all the persons of the county of Suffolk who in the first 
ten or twelve years after Winthrop of Groton had 
removed himself and his family to New England, 
followed in his footsteps. It contains all the persons 
who are expressly said by Candler to have gone to that 
country, and a few others found in other writings. But 

there were probably others, persons of good account 

Those who followed Winthrop from his own countrj^ 
may not improperly be designated the Second Puritan 
Emigration, the First being formed of those who had 
been of Mr. Robinson's Church and founded Plymouth, 



68 Tin: Lin; . . SrsAN Stearns 



and the eini<^rauts from Dorsetshire. From the informa- 
tion of CandK-r and of other persons, by whom they arc 
incidentally mentioned, we are able to form a pretty 
lorrect idea of the status of the families in the old 
country, and the class of society in Kngland to which 
the Suffolk emii^rants beloiifjed. And we see that the 
Suffolk emi>;ration consisted very much of persons who, 
though not of the very first rank, were yet men of sub- 
stance and good alliances the layer of population next 
below that which came expressly under the cognizance of 
the Heralds at their visitations, will -making families, 
families high in the subsidy books, while some of them, as 
the Winthrops, were among the principal gentry of the 
country, and several claimed the distinction of coat- 
armour; while the divines were all graduates of the 

Universities The influence of the Suffolk emigration 

is seen in the topographical nomenclature of Massachu- 
setts." 

Isaac Sterne was of this Second Puritan emigration, 
nevertheless the place and date of his birth are unknown 
to us, and nothing is known of his family, not even the 
names of his parents. The register of Nayland parish 
church records the baptism of two of his children, Mary 
in 1626, and Anna, or Hannah, in 1628. 

l!ut the first authentic information in regard to his 
place of residence comes from a Note Hook of Thomas 
I^chford, made between 1638 and 1642. We copy the 
document there given entire: — 

"Isaacke Sterne of Watertown in New Kngland, 
planter, sometime of vStoke Na\land in the county of 
Suffolk, taylcr, and Mary, his wife, daughter of John 
Harker, late of Stoke Nayland aforesaid, clothier, 
deceased, makes a letter of attorney to T. Oilson of 

Sudbury, baker, to reccivi- and icco\i;r of and irom 

.Munnings of Gavnes Colne in the county of Kssex, 



The lyiNE OF Susan Stearns 69 

yeoman, the sum of five pounds of lawfull money of 
England, due unto her by some bond, covenant or 
agreement made by the said Munnings before or upon 
his marriage with Margaret, mother of the said Mary. 
I, Thomas Dudley, Esq., Gov. of the jurisdicon of the 
Mattachusetts Bay in New England doe hereby certify 
all manner of persons whome it may concern that these 
presents are the act and deed of the abovesayd Isacke 
and Mary. In testimony whereof I have, at their 
request, caused the common scale of our colony to be 
hereunto afi&xed the day and year aforesaid. 1 s.6 d." 

Stoke Nayland is a little village a mile northeast of 
Nayland, and has its own parish church. Nayland is 
on the river Stour which forms the southern boundary 
of the county of Suffolk ; it is about five miles south of 
Groton once the home of the Winthrops. Dr. Savage 
says in his Genealogical Dictionary that Isaac Sterne 
may have been drawn to New England by a regard for 
Gov. Winthrop since he was a not distant neighbor of 
the Governor in their native county. The Calendar of 
Wills at Ipswich records the will of John Sterne, proved 
at Ipswich 1525-7, and this is the earliest mention of the 
name of Sterne found by the present writer in any of the 
records to which she has had access. I'he almanac 
prepared by Adam Winthrop for his grandson in 1620 
gives the names of thirty -three preachers at Groton, 
Edwardston and Boxford during that year, and one of 
them is Sterne. This may have been Archbishop 
Sterne, who had received his degree of M. A. at 
Cambridge University two years before. Whether there 
are any traces of Isaac Sterne in the parish registers of 
Nayland or Stoke Nayland or Sternefield, a little village 
with an ancient parish church about thirty -five miles 

10 



70 Thk Link op Susan Stearns 



northeast of Xaylaml, is for tlie future historian of the 
family to discover. Isaac Sterne's descendants occupy 
more space in Bond's History of Watertowu than those 
of any other original settler, but they have not been 
genealogists, as the fact that until 1894 there was no 
other memorial of the family than the one contained in 
this invaluable book, shows. The Lcchford document 
speaks of Mary, wife of Isaac Sterne, as the daughter of 
John Barker of Stoke Nayland, clothier. Waters' 
Genealogical gleanings, pp. 1158-60, gives the wills of 
John Barker of Stoke Nayland, clothier, and of Margaret 
his widow, proved respectively in 1587 and in 1589. 
These may have been the grandparents of Mary Sterne. 
Margaret Barker speaks of her "son John." It may be 
remarked in passing that a clothier at that time was a 
cloth-worker, or maker of cloth, as well as a seller of 
clothes. 

In the Addenda to Winthrop's Journal is a list of 
names in the handwriting of Gov. Winthrop which the 
editor, Mr. vSavage, supposes to be of those who in 
February, 1630. designed to come over and of whom the 
greater part actually did come. The list contains the 
names of several well-known Watertown families. It is 
in three columns; and in the first column is the name of 
Sterne. "It is possible," says Mr. Savage, "the author 
designed by the spaces between the columns to dis- 
tinguish the passengers in the several ships; but 
I cannot detect his distribution perfectly." "Isaac 
Sterne," says Bond, "came in the same ship, as there 
is reason to believe, with Gov. Winthrop and Sir Richard 
Saltonstall;" but there seems to be no other evidence ot 
it Ihati this. The Arbella arrived at Salem June 12, 



The Line of Susan Stearns 71 

1630 (O. S.), but no list of her passengers is known to 
exist. 

If he really came in the Arbella he may have been 
one of the forty who signed the church covenant drawn 
up by Sir Richard, July 30, 1630. This Covenant is 
given in Book III. of Mather's Magnalia, but not the 
names of those who signed it, and the original document 
is not in existence. 

The record of a Court of Assistants held at Boston, 
May 3, 1631, shows that Isaac Sterne was juror in the 
first civil cause ever tried in New England, when large 
damages were given Thomas Dexter in an action for 
assault brought against Capt. Endicott. This is the first 
authentic record of him on this side of the Atlantic. 
Fifteen days later. May 18, 1631, he was one of the one 
hundred and eighteen who were admitted freemen on 
that day. This is strong evidence that he was a church 
member, but it is not conclusive. The order of the first 
Cisatlantic General Court (held on the same day) was 
"that for the time to come no man shall be admitted to 
the freedom of this body politic but such as are members 
of some of the churches within the limits of the same." 
"It must be remembered," says Palfrey, "that this rule 
was prospective." But he also says, "An examination 
of the list of the freemen admitted at this time leads to 
the conclusion that perhaps three-quarters of them, 
certainly as many as one -half, had previously connected 
themselves with some church." 

"Down to this time," says Palfrey, the freemen were 
without much mutual acquaintance." It would appear 
that they lived in wigwams until they could build 
houses, for Wintbrop's Journal records that "Sept., 



72 Thk Link of Susan Stearns 



16.>u, Fiuch of W'atcrtown had his wigwan burnt and 
all his K'^'ods;" and Nov. 2 of the same year, "Firmin 
of Watertown had his wij^vam burnt." Isaac Sterne's 
first homestall was a tract of three acres northeast of 
wiiat is now Mt. Auburn Cemetery, about half mile 
distant from its northeast corner. Here it may be pre- 
sumed, he erected his wigwam; but he soon acquired, 
by grant and by purchase, nearly six hundred acres of 
land, most of it in what is now the western part of 
Helraont and the northern part of Waltham, and in 1642 
we find him living on the east side of what is now 
Lexington Street in Belmont. His homestall there was 
bounded on the north by John Warren, on the east by 
Pequusset Meadow, a part of which he owned, and on 
the south by John Biscoe. By this time he had eight 
children, five daughters' and three sons, and four years 
later his oldest daughter, Mary, married Isaac Learned 
of Woburn. His oldest son, the " Sonne John" to whose 
children he left in his will eighty pounds, saying that 
this sum "being added to what my son had formerly 
will be a double portion with the rest of ray children," 
settled in Billerica, his second son Isaac, in Lexington, 
and his third son, Samuel, in Watertown, near his 
father. In 1664 he conveyed to this son the house 
where he (the son) was then living, with four acres of 
land, five apple trees, and all that part of the pasture lot 
below Klbow Hill that lies bounded between John 
Biscoc's and Jcjhn Warren's; also, five acres of meadow. 
The house stood at the northwest corner of what are 
now Belmont and Lexington streets.^ These streets have 
borne these names from the very beginning, and it is 
probable that their general direction is unchanged. The 



The Line of Susan Stearns 73 

records of Massachusetts Bay for 1638 show that Isaac 
Sterne and his neighbor John Page were fined five 
shillings that year "for turning the wa}' about." 

Isaac Sterne's name is often upon the records of 
Watertown, showing that he performed his share of the 
public service. He was more than once constable and 
selectman. In 1647 he and Mr. Nathaniel Biscoe,^ the 
rich tanner of Watertown, were appointed "to consider 
how the bridge over the river shall be built, and to 
agree with the workmen for doing it according to their 
best discretion." The records do not state when it was 
completed, but the next year the selectmen ordered 
payments to be made "to Mr. Biscoe and Isaacke Sterne 
for work done at the bridge." It was a foot bridge, and 
in twenty years had to be rebuilt; there was no bridge 
for wheel carriages over the Charles at this point until 
1719; and Mr. Biscoe was the father of John Biscoe, 
Isaac Sterne's next neighbor on the south. There is 
not a vestige of evidence that he ever followed the 
occupation of tailor in Watertown. He seems to have 
given his attention wholly to the land, and it would 
seem that he must have been a farmer or a farmer's son 
in his native county in England. Family tradition has 
it that this was the case. "Gentlemen farmers," one of 
the writer's aunts once said. This means yeomen, 
freeholders, the class next below the gentry. His 
descendants have multiplied exceedingly in New Eng- 
land. "His posterity," says Rev. A. P. Peabody in 
his "Harvard reminscences," "is singularly rich in men 
who have attained eminence, or occupied positions of 
trust and usefulness in the ministry, in the law, in 
public office, and in educational service." But the fact 



7 4 Tin: Line of Susan Stearns 



that fully half of them have been fanners shows their 
attachiuenl to the soil. A steadiness, a certain repose 
and quietness of character, an unalterable serenity of 
temper and a gift of doing things with "divine ease" 
have been obser\"ed in so many individuals of the race, 
individuals unknown to each other and reared in widely 
differing conditions, that they may be said to be family 
characteristics. And the repose and serenity have not 
been acquired without cost, for extreme sensibility is 
another of their marked traits. Let it be said also that 
if they have not been genealogists, and have cared little 
about preserving their family history, they have by no 
means been wanting in family affection; and though 
they have had little ambition, it cannot be said of them 
that they have ever shirked public duty. Their patriot- 
ism in colonial and rt-volutionary wars was abounding. 
More than twenty men bearing the name of Stearns 
performed military duty in the Old French War, most of 
them as common soldiers. The number of those who 
served in the War of the Revolution is greater still. 
One cannot help wondering what mental and physical 
changes a residence of two hundred and seventy -five 
years in New England have brought about in thcni. 
Probably the latter would be gre;iter than the former, 
for two climates more unlike than those of New England 
and the County of Suffolk in Old ICngland it would be 
hard to find. 

Isaac Sterne died in 1671, leaving his estate to his 
wife "for her maintenance so long as she shall live a 
widow." Mis will and inventory arc given in Bond's 
History of Watertown entire. Mary Sterne died in 
1677. liolh were i)robably buried in the old grave-yard 



Thk Line of Susan Stearns 75 

;n Watertown, but no trace of their graves can now be 
found there. 

Their youngest son, Samuel, had married in 1662 or 
1663, Hannah Manning, oldest daughter of William and 
Dorothy Manning of Cambridge, and at the time of his 
mother's death was living on the homestead given him 
by his father. Like his father he was constable and 
selectman. He filled the latter ofiice eight years. In 
1683 he died at the age of forty -five, leaving nine 
children, the youngest an infant who died the following 
year. His sons doubtless lived with their mother on 
their father's homestead until of age, and John, fourth 
and youngest son, inherited it. It may be said here 
that this homestead descended from John to Josiah, son 
of John, and from Josiah to Phineas, son of Josiah, and 
that Phineas, who was second cousin to our Phineas, 
and who was a member of the Boston Tea-party and a 
revolutionary soldier, was the last occupant of it to bear 
the name of Stearns. He died in 1798. But Isaac, 
third son of Samuel and Hannah Manning Stearns, is he 
with whom we have to do. Isaac Stearns was born in 
1674, and in 1708 married Mary Bemis, granddaughter 
of Joseph and Sarah Bemis, early settlers of Watertown. 
He inherited from his father forty -five acres of land in 
the Fourth Dividend, in what is now Waltham. This 
land lies on the Trapelo Road, not far to the east of the 
present trolley line from Waltham to Lexington. He it 
was who built the house on Bow Street. He died in 
1737, just before the incorporation of Waltham, and from 
him it passed to his oldest son, Deacon Isaac Stearns, 
who in 1729 had married Elizabeth Child, granddaughter 
of John Child who was nephew and heir of Deacon 



76 The Line of Susan Stearns 



Ephraim Child, also early settler of Watertown. Deacon 
Isaac was deacon of the First Church in Walthani and it 
was probably his son Isaac who gave the silver st>blets 
still in possession of the Church. It may be remarked 
in passinji that a 6rst cousin of Deacon Isaac was the 
Rev. David Stearns, the honored minister of Lunenburg, 
he who in 1739 married Thomas Morison of Londonderry 
to Mar>' Smith of Lunenburg, and in 1753, John Smith 
of Peterborough to Mar>' Harkness of Lunenburg. 

The home on Bow street passed from this branch of 
the family in 1828, and is now owned by Thomas Maher. 
The house has long since been rebuilt. Two months 
ago the writer paid it a visit, and was shown beams in 
the cellar that have evidently been used in the con- 
struction of some other building; and the white painted 
mantel in the little front parlor, and the tiny winding 
stairway in the front hall, both much older than the 
house itself. It may fairly be supposed that all three 
were taken from the house that Isaac Stearns built in 
1708. Deacon Isaac Stearns died in 1779 and his wife 
in 1791. Their graves may still be seen in the old part 
of the burial ground of Waltham. They had eleven 
children, and their fifth child and third son was named 
Phiii-'as, a name hitherto unknown in the family. 

Phineas Stearns grew up i" the home on liow street. 
In IT'M he married Mary Wellington, descendant of 
Roger Wellington and his wife, Mary Palgrave. Roger 
Wellington was a planter and early settler of Watertown, 
and his wife was a daughter of Richard Palgrave, the 
first physician of Charlestown. Phineas and Mary 
Wellington Stearns had nine children, four sons, of 
whom two died in infancy, and five daughters. The 



The Line of Susan Stearns 77 

three oldest were born in Waltham, the others in Lex- 
ington, whither they removed in 1768. Phineas Stearns 
^s spoken of in old deeds as "yeoman," "husband- 
man," and " cordwainer." He was a soldier in the Old 
French War and in the War of the Revolution. Bond 
says, "He was in the battle of Lexington," The town 
records show that he was a member of that part of Capt, 
Parker's company' that was called to Boston, June, 1775; 
but this company did not take part in the battle of 
Bunker Hill. He served in three other campaigns, the 
last being that against Burgoyne, but after 1777 his 
name does not appear upon the rolls. He bought his 
farm in Lexington of Samuel Smith in 1767 for four 
hundred pounds. The exact location of this farm cannot 
be told from the deed, but it must have been near the 
crossing of Spring and Concord streets. He sold it in 
1782 to his brother-in-law, Joseph Wellington, and 
bought of him another farm of seventy acres, near Beaver 
Brook in Waltham, and two tracts of land in Cambridge. 
The consideration named in this deed in one thousand 
pounds; that in the deed of the Lexington farm, seven 
hundred and fifty. So far as we know he made only 
one addition to this latter in the fifteen years that he 
owned it, and that was six rods of land which he bought 
of Amos Marret in 1782 for five pounds. The deprecia- 
tion of the currency may have had something to do with 
the increase in price. He added to the farm on Beaver 
Brook until in 1789 it contained one hundred and ten 
acres and included the grist mill and water privilege. 

Mary Wellington Stearns died in 1791 and her grave 
ma}^ still be seen in the burial ground of Waltham, near 
those of her husband's father and mother. The last 

11 



Thb Link of Si'san Stearns 



recorded act of Phineas Stearns is his purchase of Isaac 
Gleason's pew in Waltham meeting-house in 1791 for 
twenty -four pounds. In the autumn of the next year 
small pox was epidemic in Waltham, and he, still in the 
prime of life, took it and died, atid the farm passed to 
his sons, Peleg and John. 

No doubt visits to their Uncle Wellington in Lexing- 
ton had brought about acquaintance between the Stearns 
and the Phinney young people, for the Wellington and 
the Phinney farms were not far apart. In .May, 1794. 
Peleg Stearns married Susanna Phinney and John 
Stearns married her sister Chloe,* both daughters of 
Benjamin Phinney of Lexington, iheir Uncle's near 
neighbor. A portrait of this gentleman, painted when 
he was past ninety by Chester Harding, belongs to his 
great grandson, the Rev. F. W. Greene of Middlctown, 
Ct., and represents him as a handsome old man with 
long, flowing white hair. He was fifth in descent from 
John Phinney, said to have been an Irishman, who came 
to Scituate nine years after the landing of the Pilgrims. 
The name was originally P'inney, with variations of 
P'ennye, and Feney. When and why the spelling was 
changed the writer knows not. The wife of Benjamin 
Phinney was Susanna Morse, whose gra%'e is in the 
churchyard at Lexington. They were admitted to the 
church in Falmouth, Mass., May 10, 1772, and dismissed 
thence to the United Church of Annapolis and Granville, 
Nova Scotia, in August, 1774. Tradition says they were 
Tories. Whoever studies the history of that period 
from original records and letters soon discovers that 
public opinion on the question of the hour, even among 
those who did not leave the country, but remained 



The lyiNE OF Susan Stearns 79 

behind and cast in their lot with the patriots, was far 
from unanimous. James Russell Lowell's grandmother 
was a Loyalist and fasted and wore mourning upon the 
Fourth of July to the day of her death. Dr. Marshall 
Spring^ of Watertown "was a decided Tory, thought the 
attempt of the colonies to gain independence entirely 
rash and inexpedient, and avowed his opinions so freely 
that it is supposed he would have been sent out of the 
country had he not been too important as a medical man 
to be spared." Jonathan Stearns, second cousin of our 
Phineas, was so aggressive a Royalist that he was 
obliged to leave the country. He went to Halifax, Nova 
Scotia, where he married Mehitabel Robie, daughter of 
another Tory refugee, and never returned, though after 
their parents' death his children lived with their grand- 
parents in Salem, and some of his descendants are now 
living in Springfield, Mass. The question naturally 
arises, if Benjamin and Susanna Phinney were Tories, 
why did they return to this country? Six generations 
of Phinneys had lived in Plymouth and Barnstable 
counties, and possibly they longed for their kindred. 
Whatever the reason, return they did, and settled upon 
a farm situated in the southwestern part of Lexington, 
and we next hear, of them as requesting admission to the 
church there, Aug. 14, 1787. Hebrew, Greek, Roman 
and Puritan are represented in the nomenclature of their 
nine children : — 

Patience, married Eli Greene of Boston. 

Chloe, married John Stearns of Waltham. 

Josiah ' 

Susanna, married Peleg Stearns of Waltham. 

Joseph 



TiiK Link of Susan Stearns 



Theodore, married Ann Barrett in Culia. 

Klias, born 1780, married Catherine Bartlett. 

lienjamin 

Deidamia, born 17S8, married Barnabas P'ales 
of \\'ashing:ton. 
Deidamia Fales was at tlie head of a seminary for pirls 
in Marietta, Ohio, for some years after her marriaj^e, but 
she died in Cuba before 1824. She was the "Mother's 
Aunt Fales" of the writer's childhood. 

Of the oldest son of Patience Phinney Green we shall 
hear more anon. Two of the brothers, Theodore and 
Klias, g^rew to manhood. Theodore was a successful 
planter in Cuba. Elias was graduated from Harvard 
College in ISUl, read law, and began practice in 
Thomaston, Maine, but returned to Lexington in 1823. 
He was clerk of the courts for Middlesex County and 
trustee of the Slate Agricultural Society for many years, 
and he brought his farm, which he inherited from his 
father, to such a high state of cultivation that it attracted 
visitors from far and near. When Lafayette visited 
Lexington in 1824 it was he who delivered the address 
of welcome ; and the next year he wrote a pamphlet on 
the battle of Lexington which settled for all time the 
controversy between that town and Concord as to where 
the first blood of the revolution was shed. It is said 
that these brothers were much beloved by their friends 
antl neighbors. There is a story, though the writer does 
not vouch for its truth, that whc-n the eleventh child 
ai)iH*are<l in the family of John and Hannah Stearns 
Parker, the name given him, hitherto unknown in the 
family, was in honor of the return of Theodore Phinney 
from Cuba on a visit to his father's home. Theodore 



The lyiNE OF Susan Stearns 81 

Parker was born August 14th, 1810. A letter from 
Theodore Phinney to John and Chloe Stearns dated 
September 5th, 1810, speaks of his arrival at Boston, 
August 22nd; and the Parker and Phinney families were 
near neighbors. Quick tempers and warm hearts had 
these Phinneys, a high spirit, and much refinement, 
vivacit}^ and charm. 

Tradition says that Chloe Pliinney's wedding gown 
was white satin trimmed with ermine, and tradition is 
correct as to the satin, for pieces of it were in possession 
of her daughter Susan in 1865. They had been dyed 
black, and were used in the family dressmaking to the 
very last fragment. It is probable that both families 
lived in the house on Beaver Brook at first, and that the 
unmarried sisters lived with them ; for the farm had 
descended to the two brothers jointly. But in 1797. 
Peleg quitclaimed his share to John, and went to live in 
Cambridge, Vt., and John remained sole possessor. 

This house stands on the left hand side of Mill street 
going towards Lexington, about quarter of a mile from 
the Trapelo Road. It is a large, yellow house, almost 
square, and the front is at right angles with the street. 
It now belongs to Mr. Kendall, son of one of the 
brothers Kendall, who bougnt it in 1819 of John, heir of 
David S. Eaton, who in turn bought it of John Stearns 
in 1809. The present owner tells the writer that the 
house is but little changed since John Stearns' owner- 
ship. To go into the room on the left of the hall is to 
go back into colonial times. It is a large low room with 
an open fireplace, paneled to the ceiling on one side and 
one third of the way up on the other three. A heavy 
beam, handsomely carved, crosses the ceiling. On one 



^2 TnK Line of Susan Stearns 

side the wiiuluws look towards Beaver Brook, "Sweet 
Beaver, child of forest still," uow a part of the Heaver 
Brook Reservation of the State of Massachusetts. The 
mill, the mill of which L«nveir wrote, is no longer there, 
but the mill dam remains. The mill was rebuilt and the 
milldam repaired by John and Peleg Stearns in 1790, 
but much of the original stone work in the latter is still 
there. 

It is a region of great beauty. Going down the 
hill to the beginning of Mill street, we find ourselves at 
the point where the Trapelo Road crosses Beaver Brook. 
To the left of the bridge, about quarter of a mile d stant, 
are the Wavcrly Oaks, now also a part of the Reservation. 
These trees are from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred years old. It is possible that the ground where 
they grow once belonged to Isaac Sterne himself; it is 
certain that it belonged to his grandson, Nathaniel, and 
that in 1717, it was bought by another grandson, Samuel. 
After that it belonged to a succession of Stearns owners, 
who would never allow the trees to be cut. From the 
bridge, the Trapelo Road goes west over high hills in 
the north of Waltham for two miles, when it descends to 
the plain, and in descending, passes very near the house 
on Bow street, the house that stands on the site of the 
one built by Isaac Stearns in 1708. It is a region of 
wide views, fertile and highly cultivated farms, and 
scattered and solitary farm houses, each looking as if it 
had come down from a former generation. 

In this house on Beaver Brook, then. John and Chloe 
Phinney Stearns lived for fifteen years, and in it all their 
children, save the youngest, were born. Ikrc, May 30. 
1809, was born Susan Stearns. 



Notes to Chapter First 83 



NOTES TO chapter FIRST 



1. Isaac Sterne, the emigrant, had five daughters, viz. : 

Mary, married Isaac Learned. 
Hannah, married Samuel Freeman. 
Sarah, married Dea. Samuel Stone. 
Elizabeth, married Samuel Manning. 
Abigail, married Dea. John Morse. 
Samuel and Hannah Manning Stearns had four daughters, 
viz . : 

Hannah, married Thomas Biscoe. 
Sarah, married in middle life, Joseph Winship, of 
Cambridge (his second wife). 
' Mary, married Samuel Jennison. 

Abigail, married Benoni Garfield. 
These names are now found in every part of the U. S. 
Isaac Sterne married Mary Barker in 1622. 

2. There is some curious information regarding Nathaniel 
Biscoe (properly Briscoe) in the early records of Watertown. 
He returned to England in 1651, leaving two sons and two 
daughters in Massachusetts, and a letter he wrote from London 
in 1652 to his son-in-law, Thomas Broughton, a merchant of 
Boston, is given in the Mass. Hist. Coll., Ser. 3, Vol. 1. The 
letter is difficult to understand, but it caused some excitement at 
the time. His oldest son, Nathaniel, Jr., was usher of Nat'l 
Eaton, first head of Harvard College, and Winthrop, in the 
account he gives in his Journal of the trouble between Nathaniel, 
Jr., and that gentleman, speaks of the former as " a gentleman 
born." The second son of Nat'l Biscoe, Sen., was John 
Biscoe, whose home stall joined that of Isaac Sterne on the south, 
and whose son, Thomas, married Hannah, oldest daughter of 
Samuel and Hannah Manning Stearns. 

3. The first meeting house of Watertown was more than 
two miles from the home of Isaac Sterne, and this explains why 
his grandson Nathaniel, son of Samuel and Hannah Manning 
Stearns, who inherited it, was among those who in 1700 



84 N'OTHS TO ClIAl'TiiK I'JKST 



subscribed (or worship at the new meeting house erected about 
1695 " on the knoll of j^round lyiiiK between the house of Widow 
Stearns and Whitney's Hill," the Widow Stearns bein^ his 
mother, and the spot only a few rods distant from her 
liouse. All the Stearns families in that neighborhood must have 
been parishioners of the Rev. Samuel An^^ier. Rut he diet] in 
1719, and two years later this meetinjj house was removed to a 
spot not far distant from the Lyman estate, in what is now 
Waltham, and Isaac Stearns and his son Deacon Isaac were 
members of the Waltham church. 

4. Pedigree of Chloe I'hinney. 

I. 

John Finney came to Scituale nine years after the landing of 
the Pilgrims. Nothing is known of his antecedents. 

II. 

His son, John Finney, had three wives, as follows: (1) 

Christian ; (2) Abigail Bishop Coggins; (3) Elizabeth 

Hay ley. 

III. 

John Finney, son of John and Christian , was born at 

Plymouth Dec. 24, 163S. and married, Aug, 10, 1664, Mary 
Rogers, granddaughter of Thomas Rogers, who came over in the 
Mayflower. They had thirteen children, of whom the tenth was 
Henjamiu Finney. 

IV. 

Henjamin Finney, son of John and Mary Rogers, was born 
June IS, 1682. In 170*> he married Martha Crocker, daughter of 
Joseph Crocker, aud they had six children, of whom the fifth 
was Zuccheus. 

V. 

Zacrlieus Finney, son of Renjauiin and Martha Crocker, was 
born Aug. 4. 1720, and married Susanna Davis. They had three 
children, all ions, of whom the oldest was Renjamin. It was 
either in this generation or the next lh.it llie spelling of the 
name was changed. 



Notes to Chapter First 85 

VI. 

Benjamin Phinney, son of Zaccheus and Susanna Davis, was 
born June 10, 1744, and died in Ivcxington in 1843. His wife 
was Susanna Morse. They had nine children, of whom the 
second was Chloe. 

Robert Finney, probably a brother of John Finney II., was 
a deacon of the church in Plymouth in 1687. Concerning 
Thomas Rogers nothing is known except that he was a member 
of the Leyden congregation. 

Rev. C. G. Finney, president of Oberlin College, was a 
descendant of John Finney III. The writer has been told that 
there are now Finneys in Nova Scotia, farmers, whose ancestors 
were among those who left Massachusetts at the beginning of 
the Revolution. 

5. The following receipt was found among the papers of 
John Stearns: 

"Mr. John Stearns Dr. to Dr. Marshall Spring for 
attendance and med. for his family $22.00 

Received payment for Dr. Spring in full of all accounts. 

JohnDix." 

Dr. Spring died in Watertown in 1818, greatly respected and 
beloved. He was eminent as a physician, and after the Revolu- 
tion was frequently in political life. In 1789 he was chosen a 
member of the Massachusetts Convention for ratifying the 
Constitution of the United States, and he was for several years 
a member of the Executive Council of Massachusetts. He was a 
great wit, and is said to have been the only man of his time who 
could hold his own in repartee with Chief Justice Parsons. 

His older brother, Josiah Converse Spring, settled in Peter- 
borough in 1780, and some of this brother's descendants were 
living on their farm at the foot of the East Mountain in 1865. 

6. The first Mrs. Lowell (Anna Maria White) was a 
descendant of Isaac Sterne through her great grandmother, Lois 
Stearns, sister of the Rev. David Stearns of Lunenburg. The 
homestead of Samuel Stearns belonged at one time to her father. 

12 



A BUNDLE OF OLD LETTERS AND SOME 
OLD JOURNALS 



The only authentic memorials of the family of John 
Stearns are the Gcnealog^y of Bond, a few old deeds, a 
few old letters preserved by accident and the journals of 
Elizabeth Stearns. The rest is all hearsay and tradition. 

In May, 1799, he had already two children. Two of 
his sisters were married, the oldest, Sarah, to Isaac 
Hastings of I^exington, and the next younger, Mary, to 
her third cousin, William Stearns. William and Mary 
had gone to live in Paris, Maine, and the youngest 
sister, Dorcas, then nineteen years old, was with them, 
as the following letter shows. It is a tattered, yellow 
sheet, marked in a later hand. "Dorcas Stearns' letter. 
A relic of antiquity." 

"Paris, May, 1799. 

"I received the bag you sent me, and was ver>' much 
gratified to find luck in it. I was rejoiced to hear from 
you all once more. I was pleased to hear from my 
brother at Vermont. I have nothing new to write, as we 
live so far back in the country we do not hear any news. 
Do write me at the first opportunity, and fill a whole 

sheet You wr(jte word that you could not write so 

well, your little trots being always in the way, but you 
must not let that hinder. Ours have got upon the 
gallop, but the three youngest have got the hooping 
cough, and that takes them down a little." 



Old lyETTERS AND Journals 87 

WiUiam and Mary Stearns had at this time five 
children. The letter continues: 

"The rest of us are in perfect health. Present my 
sincere love to Mrs. Hastings and family. Give my 
love to Susan, and tell her she must not forget me. I 
conclude with wishing you everything that is agreeable. 
Dorcas Stearns to Chloe Stearns." 

At the bottom of the sheet are a few words evidently 
added by Mary Stearns, but the name signed to the 
postscript has been torn off. 

"My dear sister: — 

I write a few lines to you to keep up the 
conversation and to let you know that we are all well. 
I want to see you and all my friends very much. We 
have a very backward spring. It is now the second day 
of June and we have had a long storm. I wish to know 
if the weather is there as it is here. Give my love to 
my brother. My children send their love to yours. 
Give my love to Mrs. Hastings [and] Susan and Sophia, 
and [all] the little ones. Do not forget to write." 

The letter is addressed to Mr. John Stearns, Waltham. 
Dorcas Stearns married Luke Chace, Esq., of Paris, 
Maine, in 1808, and thus became the "Mother's Aunt 
Chase" of the writer's childhood. The records show 
that it was not until 1809 that she received her share of 
her father's estate, amounting to $841.77, including 
interest. 

Susanna and Rebecca Stearns did not long delay to 
follow in the footsteps of their older sisters. In 1800, 
Susanna married Jonas Wyeth of Cambridge, and five 
years later Rebecca married Capt. David Wellington of 
I^exington. Both these weddings took place at the 



88 Old Lkttkrs and Journals 

home on Beaver Brook, where John Stearns now 
remained in sole possession. 

In 1809, these families were all livinj^ within ten 
miles of each otlier and on terms of affectionate intimacy. 
It is impossible not to ask what could have induced 
John Stearns to leave Waltham and go up into the wiUis 
of New Hampshire. The impression prevailed among 
his grandchildren, whence or how derived the writer 
knows not, that the cause of the removal was severe 
pecuniar>' loss, and his second daughter, Mrs. Runnells, 
when questioned by her nieces, admitted that he did 
lose a great deal of money about this time. "He lost a 
great deal by Mr. Stowers," she said. Who Mr. Stowers 
was she did not explain, but she added, "And then we 
all had to go to work." Many years later the writer 
mentioned this story to her son, the Rev. M. T. Runnells, 
and was surprised to find that he knew nothing of it. 
But it has lately received unexpected confirmation 
through a grand niece of John Stearns, who had it from 
her grandmother. The story in substance is that the 
brothers, Peleg and John, had at one time comfortable 
fortunes, and that they entered into some speculations 
that resulted disastrously. At that time to lose even 
one's own money was looked upon as little short of a 
crime, and John Stearns was almost crushed for the 
time, and never recovered his hopefuhuss ami energy, 
lit- >(,]t\ the farm on Beaver Brook, in 1S()9, to David 
S. Haton, for $7,250.00. The next year they removed 
to Jaffrey, and in September were living there, as the 
following letter from Theodore Phinney, dated Lexing- 
ton, Scjitember 5, 1810. shows. 



Old Letters and Journals 89 

Dear sister and brother: — 

I arrived at Boston the 22nd of 
Aug^ust, after a pleasant voyage of about fifteen days, 
thinking I should have the pleasure of seeing you, but 
find I shall be disappointed unless you can come to 
lycxington in the course of three weeks, which I wish 
very much you could make it convenient [to do] before 
I return to Cuba. It was merely for the sake of seeing 
you and the rest of my relatives that I came to America, 
but how am I disappointed. However, if you cannot 
come, do write to me, and if I can possibly make it 
convenient, I will come to Jaffrey. Your little daughter 
was here a week since, but has, at Mrs. Wyeth's request, 
gone to Cambridge. I am sorry, for I think she would 
enjoy herself better with your sister Deidamia [Deidamia 
Phinney, then twenty-two years old.] I don't know 
how you could think of going any farther to the north- 
ward than Waltham, but I am told you still have an idea 
of going farther. For my part, I should rather go ten 
miles to the south of Boston, than one to the north. I 
don't think that after living in a part of the world where 
you see the fields covered with a continual and luxuriant 
verdure, that I can ever content myself to settle in this 
frozen climate, and think a man lives at least two years 
for one in the West Indies; but I should certainly enjoy 
myself much better here than there if it were not for the 
cold weather; for as some poet says, wherever we stray, 
in whatever climes we roam, our first and best loved 
country ever is at home. I am no poet, but only mean 
to observe that the place of our nativity, let what would 
have been our hardships in our youthful days, will ever 
appear most dear to us, at least it is so with me. Give 
my love to Mary and Caroline, and enjoin upon them 
not to forget their Uncle Theodore. I expect to return 
to Boston in the course of next summer in order to settle 
myself, for I think I have lived bachelor long enough. 
Receive this from your affectionate brother, Theodore 
Phinney. Mrs. Chloe Stearns. 



vu Old Lkttkrs and Journals 



The last child of John and Chloe Stearns was born 
in Jaffrey in 1S13. Their children were as follows: — 

Mary, b. 1795, ni. William Ainsworth. 
Caroline, b. Nov. 23, 1797, ra. Moses Thurston 
Runnells. 

Fidelia, b. Oct. 25, 1799, m. Albert Smith. 
Josiah Phinney, b. May 22, 1801, d. 1886, unni. 
Chloe Frances, b, Mar. 16, 1803, d. 1825, unm. 
Margaret, b. Mar. 18, 1805, m. William Sidney 

Smith. 
Deidamia, b. Aug. 17, 1807, m. Martin Wiers. 
Susan, b. May 30, 1809, m. John Smith. 
Elizabeth, b. Mar. 14, 1813, m. William Smith. 

Family tradition says that Chloe Stearns was an 
admirable manager and possessed in the highest degree 
the domestic virtues of industry, economy, and thrift. 
She had the gift, so invaluable in large families where 
there is little money and a certain position in society to 
maintain, of making the most of her resources. What- 
ever the real truth of the story of John Stearns' loss of 
fortune, it is certain that after they came to Jaffrey their 
means were very limited. Tradition also says that she 
was a severe mother. Her family absorbed all her 
energies, as well it might. Her life work was the 
rearing of nine children, and the training and example 
she gave her eight daughters made of them exquisite cooks 
and needlewomen, housekeepers as energetic, resourceful 
and fastidiously neat as herself, and in after life faithful 
wives and tender and devoted mothers. I'orty years 
ago, there were still living those who remembered this 



Old Letters and Journals 91 



band of daughters and their mother as they appeared at 
church on Sundays, and one of them related how when 
Chinese nankeen came into fashion the mother wished to 
have Sunday frocks of it for her girls. The material 
was too expensive for her purse, and so she bought a 
piece of fine white cotton cloth and dyed it the color of 
nankeen with beech chips. When the frocks were made 
up no one could tell the difference between them and 
those made of the imported material. The following 
earnest, if somewhat incoherent letter to her second 
daughter, shows her conscientiousness and strong family 
affection. It is the only writing of hers that has come 
down to her descendants and shall be inserted here, 
though it probably belongs to a somewhat later date. 
The outside address is simply "Miss Caroline Stearns" 
showing that it was not sent through the Post Ofi&ce. 
It is dated, "Jaffrey, July 30th." 

"Caroline Dear: — I am almost alone as the children 
are gone on the mountain with Esq. Smith's children 
and little Emily. Miss Nichols has one week's vacation 
and Emily has come to stay with her cousins. She is 
well and eating her white bread as fast as possible." 

" Little Emily" was the oldest daughter of Susanna 
Stearns Wyeth, and the lifelong attachment between her 
and her cousins Susan and Elizabeth Stearns began at 
this time. Susan and Emily were born the same year. 
The letter continues: — 

"You wrote that you thought yourself not equal to 
the task. If you find it diflBcult you must make your 
stay as short as you can. You mentioned that Mrs. W. 
pitied you and would let her daughter help you. You 
can tell her you do not need her pity as much as those 



92 Oi.o Lkttkrs and Journals 



motherless children. O, Caroline, I hope yon will be 
a1>le to dischar;;e your duly, kiiowiui^ it to be such, 
kindly and affectionately, knowing that faith worketh 
hope, and hope niaketh alive a good conscience which is 
to us a pearl of great price. I think the time will seem 
long that you are deprived of your friendly societies 
here, but you must unite your ])Owers and all that is 
within you to Him who is everywhere present, who is 
as nigh there as here, and who is a present help in lime 
of need. 

"Your Uncle Phinney wrote us the other day. He 
says your Grandmother and Aunt spent the afternoon 
with you a few days since. Remember me to them. I 
expect and hope they will make us a visit this tall. I 
expect Fidelia at home in three or four weeks." 

The only possible explanation of this letter is that 
Caroline Stearns had gone to Lexington to take charge 
of the household of her Uncle David Wellington, whose 
wife, Rebecca Stearns, had died February IS, 1821, 
leaving a son four days old and six other children, of 
whom the oldest was but fifteen. This fixes the date as 
1821. 

The fifty miles or more of rough and lonely country 
road between Jaffrey and I^exington seem not to have 
interfered with tlie affectionate intercourse between these 
brothers and cousins. As long as Joliii ami Cliloe 
Stearns lived, there was a constant interchange of visits 
and lellcrs, not only with the relatives in Waltham and 
lA.-xinglon, but with those in Cambridge, Vt. Susan 
Stearns was lieard to say late in life that one of her 
earliest recollections was seeing her mother start off on 
horseback f«jr I^-xington. "I used to watch her out of 
sight," she said. "She always disappeared from view 



Old Letters and Journals 93 

behind a large barn, and for a long time I thought that 
barn was Lexington." 

The letters of the older generation show little school- 
ing and poor schools. At the time of the removal to 
Jaffrey or just before, Mary Stearns, the oldest daughter, 
was at school in Boston ; but there is no evidence that 
the other children had any other education than that 
afforded by the schools of Jaffrey. Save one or two 
school girl themes of Frances and Susan Stearns there is 
little to show us what those schools were. The subject 
of an essay by Frances Stearns is "Which is most con- 
ducive to human happiness, the cultivation of the reason 
or imagination." The young essayist contrasts the lives 
and characters of Hannah More and Ann Radcliffe, and 
concludes with the following sage advice: — 

"Let us consider reason as the greatest of human 
faculties, and take it for our guide. This, aided by 
revelation, can make us happy and will secure us an 
interest in the kingdom of the blessed." 

The penmanship is irreproachable if the orthography 
is not. Whether this was the "composition" that 
obtained for her the following certificate there is no 
knowing, for neither is dated: — 

"Frances C. Stearns for her assiduity in writing 
composition and likewise for her good behavior this 
evening deserves the approbation of her instructress, 
Mary Nichols." 

This reward of merit is written on a slip of paper, 
four inches by three, with a border of pink and green 
flourishes done in water color. Who Mary Nichols was, 

13 



94 Old Lkttkrr and Journals 



and whether she was the district school teacher or had a 
private school, there is no knowinjj, for the only mention 
of her found by the writer is in the letter of Mrs. Stearns, 
cited above. Kli/abeth Stearns studied much at home 
and recited to her older sisters. In her Cambridge 
journal, she speaks of reciting in history, rhetoric, 
arithmetic and geography to Margaret. Many of the 
entries are simply abstracts of her lessons, and are very 
creditable to a girl of her age. She evidently went to 
school in Cambridge, for in her later journal, under the 
date af October 17, 1829, she writes: — 

"I believe it is just a year since Miss Swift's school 
closed at Cambridge, and it brings many tender recol- 
lections." 

And the next day: — 

"Commenced reading Mrs. Opie's Illustrations of 
King, a little work recommended by Miss Swift in her 
last letter." 

In 1830 wc find her studying Paley's Natural Theol- 
ogy and reciting to Fidelia, and the next year, when she 
was at home, Colburn's Arithmetic. 

The following circular and monthly report blank of 
Mrs. Fales' Seminary in Maritrtta, found among Susan 
Stearns.' papers, give a curious glimpse of the girls' 
school of the first (juarter of the nineteenth century, 
when young women were brought up to keep house, 
marry and give in marriage, and this idea underlay the 
whole system of their education: — 




MRS. tLIZABKTH STKAKNS SMITH 



Old IvETTErs and Journals 95 



BOARDING SCHOOL 

The subscriber most respectfully informs the inhabit- 
ants of Marietta and its vicinity, that she has this day 
opened 

A Boarding School 

In High Street, three doors east from D. Cassells Inn, 
for the reception of Young ladies; in which will be 
taught the following branches of Female Education, viz: 

PER QUARTER 

Reading, Writing, Orthography, Plain 

Sewing, Ornamental Needlework $4.00 

Arithmetic, Eng. Grammar, Geography, 
Drawing Maps, Historical Exercises, 
& Composition $6.00 

Tamboring on Lace and Muslin $5.00 

Rug-Work $6.00 

Embroidering in Silk $8.00 

Landscape, Flower Drawing & Painting $8.00 
Boarding, including washing, three Dollars Per Week. 

D. FalES. 
Marietta, Sept. 1st, 1818. 

And the following is the Monthly Report Blank: — 

MRS. FALES' SEMINARY 

Character of Miss 

for the month of 
Absence 
Bad Lessons 
Carelessness 
Whispering 
Idleness 
Laughing 
Crying 
Transgression 



96 Old Lettkrs and Journals 

Disgrace 
Station in her several classes at the weekly examination 
Orthography 
Grammar 
Geography 
Bible 
History 
Comi^osition 
Arithmetic 

In 1820, elegant sensibility and elegant sentimentality 
were the chief characteristics of the young lady (spoken 
of in books of the period oftener than not as "a young 
female"). She was expected to faint at the sight of 
blood, but it was not thought necessary that she should 
go any farther than fractions in arithmetic. Indeed, 
there were many who doubted if the female intellect 
could master cube root. In the matter of girls' schools, 
it is difficult for 1905 to speak respectfully of 1820. It 
may be said by the advocates of the old system of 
education that the women it produced are its best 
defence; it may be said by the advocates of the new, 
that they were produced not by it, but in spite of it; 
and with much more truth that the school of life is that 
in which women learn, and that is more or less the same 
in all ages. One thing is certain, and that is that in 
1820, knowledge of household arts was all important to 
the farmer's wife and to all middle class women; and 
household arts (which modern industrialism has taken 
entirely away from the family) then included spinning, 
weaving and dyeing; the making of butter, cheese, soap 
and candles; the care and curing of meats; the preserv- 
ing and drying of fruits; beside the prep.iration of the 
three daily meals and the family sewing, which, like the 



Old Letters and Journals 97 



poor, the mistress of the house had always with her. But 
this is a digression. 

These eight girls were trained in all household arts. 
Thanks to Frances' essaj' and Elizabeth's journals, we 
know that they had plenty of good books. They read 
Oliver Goldsmith, Hannah More, Ann Radcliffe. Mrs. 
Barbauld, Mrs. Opie and Miss Mitford. Elizabeth, in 
her journal of 1829-31, speaks of reading Robertson's 
Charles V., Scott's Anne of Geierstein and Guy Man- 
nering, Bulwer's Disowned, Moore's Lallah Rookh, 
Irving's Sketch Book and Ware's Sermons. In after 
life, they one and all possessed a correct and pure literary 
taste, and had an almost unerring instinct for a good 
book. They made common place books in which they 
copied extracts in prose and verse. Likewise, thej^ 
were one and all exquisite needle -women, and their 
embroidered fichus and darned net veils and edgings 
which remain, are carefully treasured by their descend- 
ants. 

They painted in water colors. That there were 
those, outside of the family, who were interested in their 
painting, the following letter is witness: — 

"Miss Frances: — 

I send you the paper I promised for 
your painting. I endeavored to procure some whole 
paper of the same kind of this, but found that we had 
none, and must either send you this, or some whole of a 
different kind, much thinner and altogether unsuitable 
for your purpose. The quality of this paper is good, it 
is thick and smooth, but you will find about one-half of 
it unfit for any purpose except waste paper. Tell 
Caroline and Fidelia it is very doubtful whether Cousin 
William and myself find courage and resolution enough 



98 Old Lkttkrs and Journals 

to attempt a toiir to the source of the Contoocook this 
season, he beini; deeply en^n^ed in his studies and I, 
what time I can ^et, in mine; and it we do not we 
shall perform this tour the first part of next summer. 
Remem])er me to all y(jur family. Tell Josiah he must 
pay us a visit, for lie owes us one of lonj; standing. 

Yours affectionately 

Albert Smith." 
Tuesday eve., Sep. 12th, 1820. 

We know through a letter written by a niece to a 
daughter of Susan Stt-arns, written more than forty years 
after the final breaking up of the household in Jaffrey. 
that the daughters of the house occupied the whole of the 
second story of the cottage, and thai this was one large 
room with a window to the east and another to the west, 
with the house chimney in the middle. Three beds 
were ranged on different sides of the chimney, which 
was whitewashed and had a seat running all around it, 
on which was arranged the work on hand, whatever it 
was. "Your mother's work was the most fascinating to 
me," says this letter. "Some of it at least was a band- 
box full of materials for artificial flowers, which she 
made so deftly I liked to watch her." 

The first wedding in the family took place September 
30, 1818, when Mary Morse Stearns, the oldest daughter, 
married William Ainsw(jrth, only son of Rev. Laban 
Ainsworth of Jaffrey. This young lady is said to have 
had many atlractiuns and many admirers. "My mother's 
old lovers are still turning up." said her oldest son in 
1870. "The othrr day I met an old sea-captain who 
asked me, 'Was your mother Mary Stearns?' 'Yes.' 
'She was the only woman I ever loved.' " The young 



Old IvETters and Journals 99 



couple lived at first in Jaffrey, but settled ultimately in 
New Ipswich, where Mr. Ainsworth practiced law and 
became president of the Manufacturers' Bank. William 
Ainsworth "Bore without reproach the grand old name 
of gentleman," and died in his prime, leaving three 
children whose names will often be mentioned in these 
pages. His friends said of him, that he was "an 
intelligent, wise, discreet man of irreproachable integ- 
rity." That he was a kind friend and brotherly 
counsellor to his wife's sisters there are many proofs. 
An admonition he once gave his oldest son shows what 
training and example he gave his children: "There, 
Frederick, I wouldn't call myself a gentleman, if I were 
you, I'd wait until other people called me one." 

There are yet several more letters in our bundle which 
throw light on the family history of this decade, and 
they shall be inserted in chronological order. Two of 
them are from Theodore Phinney. 

Havana, 25th Dec, 1823. 
My dear sister and brolher: — 

You will, I dare say, think it 
strange to receive a letter from one you have almost 
forgotten all but the name. That, however, cannot be 
the case with one who is, as it were, entirely among 
strangers. One often thinks of the days that are passed, 
and consequently of those with whom they were passed. 
As I have now a family I have thought frequently that 
if one of your daughters would like to take a voyage to 
Havana to me as well as Ann my wife it would hQ a 
great pleasure to see some of them. It would be a great 
undertaking, but I can see little danger in it. You 
might find out from Elias when some family would be 
coming, under the protection of whom she might come. 
I have a son and a daughter. The first I have called 



100 Old LnrrnRS axd Jot'rvats 

Joseph, the second Deidamia in memory of our dear 
departed sister and brother. If I live I think I shall 
leive this country in the course of three or four years, 
when, if things j^o on well, can calculate on an income 
of six or eij,'ht thousand dollars a year. I have been 
m-ir--' fortunate than I had any reason to expect. I have 
be;:un two coffee plantations which will begin to give 
coffee next year, and then you may expect to get some 
coffee. 

Do let me hear from you on receipt of this. Ann 
sends her love to you. Give mine to all my nieces and 
nephews; and may Almighty God ble>s you here and 
hereafter is the sincere prayer of your 

absent and affectionate brother 

Theodore Phinney. 
Tell the girls to be sure and write to their old Uncle. 

It would seem from the second of these letters that 
this invitation was seriously considered in the family. 

Havana, 29 May, 18J4. 

My dear sister and brother: — 

I with much pleasure received 
yours of March last with a P. C. by Fidelia. I am glad 
to hear you are all well. I send you a box of white 
sugar and a bag of coffee. 

You observeil in your letter that Josiah would like 
to come to this place if any employment could be found 
for him. As I believe he has not been in any counting 
house nor has any trade he cannot have much ^irospect 
of bettering himself at least without remaining a longer 
time than yuu would like to have him. He would have 
to stay a year or two at least before he could be qualified 
to manage a plantation. Notwithstanding, if Fidelia 
should like to come. Josiah I should expect would 
accompany her. and if I can be of service to him shall 
do it with the greatest pleasure. I should like very 
much that one of my nieces should come and spend a 
few years with my wife and myself; but at the same time 



Old IvETTers and Journals 101 

don't know whether I should do right to over persuade 

them What I mean is that if they should lose the 

opportunity of getting married they would lay the mishap 
to me, however if either of them will come will promise 
to pay all expenses here and back 

I see nothing to prevent Josiah and one of his sisters 
from coming. He would come in the fall, say October 
or November, and by the following spring he would find 
out how he liked the country, and in case he did not he 
would not lose much time by the experiment. Ann, I 
am sure, would be glad to see all or any of you. She 
desires to be particularly remembered to you all, and 
says some of you must certainly come. 

The bill of lading for the coffee and sugar I enclose 
to Elias. 

With much esteem your brother 

Theodore Phinney. 

There is no evidence that this invitation was ever 
accepted, or that any attempt was ever made to carry out 
the project. Josiah Stearns lived in Rochester, N. Y., 
for many years. Late in life he went to La Harpe, 111., 
the home of his youngest sister, Elizabeth, and died 
there in 1886, unmarried. He was little more than a 
name to his nephews and nieces at Kim Hill, for he left 
Jaffrey before any of them were old enough to remember 
him, and he never returned. 

The following letter from Frances Stearns to her 
younger sisters, Susan aged fifteen and Elizabeth ag^rd 
eleven, shows that in the summer of 1824 she taught 
school in Lexington. 

"I believe Aunt Wyeth is going to Jaffrey Tuesday, 
and now while I have time will write you a few words 
by way of answering the letters you wrote some time 
since Mother staid rather longer than you 

14 



102 Old Lettkrs and Journals 

expected. I would have given much to have had her 
and l)i stay even one week longer and carry me to 

school every morning I went to Commencement 

the first day but did not hear a word. I desire not to go 
again unless I can be more fortunate in getting a seat ; but 
I had a line sight at the Marquis de Lafayette, and that is 

something to tell of Susan, I suppose you and Eliz. 

both understand why Lafayette has so much honor and 
attention paid him by the people of the United States. 
You recollect his character, don't you, in the 

American and French revolutions? Rebecca goes 

to the writing school now and I feel quite lonesome. I 
wish one of you could be here just to walk to school 
with me and back. While I am there I have company 
enough and enough to do, too. Susan, I wish you 
could come down and stay with me the last fortnight. . . . 
The school is now as large as ever, and Uncle has 
invited Mr. Briggs to examine it. But there will be no 
way for you to get home nor for me neither. The 
district do not appear to be willing to carry me and 
Uncle cannot, so I shall be obliged to come in the stage 
unless j'ou send for me." 

"Rebecca" was her cousin Rebecca Wellington, and 
she was evidently teaching the summer term of school 
in her uncle Wellington's district. 

The next year saw the marriage of Caroline Stearns 
to Moses Thurston Runnells of Cambridge, Vt., January 
10th, 1825. Later in the same year Frances went to 
Cambridge to visit her sister and cousins, and while 
with them fell ill of typhoid fever and died. A miniature 
of her, painted probably a year or two before her death, 
still exists, and shows that in her personal appearance 
she possessed many traits of her father's family. It 
shows a young girl, slender and pale and very fair, with 
irregular features, rather a long, thin face, blue eyes and 



Old Letters and Journals 103 

wavy chestnut hair. Her death made the first break in 
this band of sisters, and they mourned her long and 
deeply. 

Margaret and Elizabeth were both living with Caroline 
in June of the next year. It is possible that Margaret 
had been with her since Frances' death, but Elizabeth 
was evidently a new arrival. The little sister, she was 
then thirteen, must keep a journal for those at home. 

"Cambridge, June 18, 1828. At the request of Sister 
Ainsworth I have now commenced keeping a journal of 
the manner I spend my time with Sister Caroline. I 
have attended meeting to-day; heard two discourses 
delivered by Rev. Mr. Johnson. He preached from 
Exodus, 17th chap., 11th verse this forenoon; this 
afternoon from Luke, 6th chap., 19th verse. It being 
pleasant there was a large number of people. After 
meeting Judge Willoughby and Maria took supper with 

us. 

"Monday, June 19th. Warm and pleasant to-day. 
I went strawberrying with cousin Benjamin. Should 
have been glad if Frederick [Ainsworth] had been here 
to go with me. 

"Monday, June 26th. Mr. Runnells is going to 
Montreal Wednesday. Sister Caroline and Margaret are 
going with him. 

"Thursday, June 29th. Our good people have set 
sail on dry land for Montreal and left me at home to 
keep the house from going out of the windows. 

"Tuesday, July 4th. Mrs. Trowbridge called on 
her return from her morning walk and took breakfast 
with us. 

"Tuesday eve. Just half a century since Indepen- 
dence was declared throughout the U. S,, and I believe 
the day is to be celebrated in most parts of the Union. 



104 Old Letters and Journals 



The inhabitants of the small city of Cambridge have 
broken some of our windows if nothintj; else. I am 
goinji^ down to Mrs. Runnell's to spend the night. 

"Wednesday, July 5th. Returned home thi.s morning 
before sunrise, and found the morning air quite pleasant. 
I am very lonesome this eve. I begin to wish my sisters 
would come home. 

"Thursday, July 6th. Well, the first thing when I 
awoke this morning whose voice did I hear but Sister 
Caroline's. They arrived last night about twelve o'clock. 
Caroline rode sixty miles yesterday and is not a little 
fatigued to-day. They left Margaret at Fairfax. 

"Friday, July 27th. Pleasant to-day. I rode down 
to Judge Willoughby's and s])ent the day. Returned 
home and found Sister Frances' grave stone had been 
brought. Little did she or we think a year since, when 
in the bloom of health, with prospects bright and flatter- 
ing, that in a year we should read her monumental 
stone." 

The weather, visits and visitors, abstracts of her 
lessons, and the texts of the sermons on Sunday make 
the sum and substance of this journal, which tenninates 
abruptly Oct. 25, 1826, perhaps because she went home; 
but the fact that she was at school in Cambridge in 1828 
makes it quite possible that she remained with Caroline 
U'ltil the autumn of that year, when the latter exchanged 
lu-r for Deidamia, for she writes in her later journal, 
under the date of Dec. 9, 1829: — 

"It is just one year to-day since Deidamia left home 
with Brother and Sister Runnells. We did not expect 
when she left home that she would be gone a year, but 
we think now that she will stay until spring." 

The three oldest daughters married in the order of 
their ages. This might not have been so had not the 



Old Letters and Journals 105 



engagement between Fidelia and Frederick, second son 
of Samuel Smith of Peterborough been broken by his 
untimely death in 1818. Frederick Smith is said to 
have been a young man of much promise and much 
beloved. It was in memory of him that William and 
Mary Ainsworth named their oldest son, born two years 
after his death. It is with a certain reluctance that one 
who knew Fidelia Stearns only in her middle life and 
old age speaks of this early attachment. Even after the 
lapse of almost ninety years it seems a sacred thing. 
But she was a woman of deep and strong feeling, and 
there is no doubt that, in the words of one of her con- 
temporaries, "it colored her whole life." It was not 
until Feb. 5, 1828, that she married Albert Smith, after- 
wards, for so many years, the beloved and honored 
physician of Peterborough. They went to Leominster 
soon after 1830, the place that, almost thirty years later, 
was to acquire such tragic associations for them, and 
their youngest child was born there. In 1838 they 
returned to Peterborough, and for almost forty years 
there was the same affectionate intimacy between them 
and the household at Elm Hill that there had been in 
the previous generation between the family in Jaffrey 
and their Vermont and Lexington relatives. Several 
letters written by Susan Stearns immediately after her 
marriage show how large a place in her heart belonged 
to this sister and her children. 

The Journal kept by Elizabeth from October 17, 1829, 
to March 1, 1831, throws a flood of light upon the family 
life of those two years and five months. The first entry 
gives her reasons for keeping it: — 



106 Old Letters and Journals 



"Jaffrey, Oct. 17, 1829. 
After debating ami excusing m}-.self for six luouths 
Sister P'idelia lias finally convinced me that keeping a 
journal is beneficial to any one and more especially to 
young persons. It heljjs us to express ourselves correctly 
and readily upon trivial occasions, and to form habits of 
regularity-, and likewise to improve the handwriting. 
Actuated by a desire to improve mj'self in these little 
necessaries, I am about to put my perseverance to the 
test. I have attempted to keep a journal twice before, 
but have never succeeded more than four months." 

The little sister was evidently closely looked after 
by her elders, for some three weeks later we find her 
writing: — 

"Have sadly neglected my Journal of late; the only 
excuse is want of time. Margaret was just now taking a 
look at my book, and exclaims, "Elizabeth, what horrid 
writing! I am sure you wrote better three years ago!" 
Upon which I think it advisable to be a little more 
particular. The fact is I am always half asleep and 
very much fatigued when I write, which will account for 
some of the crooked lines and blots in the foregoing 
pages." 

We learn from this Journal that Mrs. Stearns spent 

three months with her daughter Caroline in the winter 

of 1829-30; th:.t Elizabeth was with "Sister Fidelia" 

from the latter part of January, 1830, until the second 

week in May; that Margaret and Susan both taught 

school in the summer ; that Theodore I'hinney paid them 

a flying visit in August; that Margaret spent the winter 

of 1830-31 with Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth, teaching their 

two younger children; and that Elizabeth was again 

with "Sister Fidelia" in Peterborough from September 

6th to November lOlh, attending school kept by a Miss 

lirown. The school closed November 5lh, 1830. 



Old Letters and Journals 107 

"Yesterday was our examination," she writes; "I am 
glad it is over. I was very much disappointed, or 
rather, dissatisfied, though I did not expect it would be 
any great affair. There were but two or three in. Cousin 
Fanny was there. She appeared to take a deep interest 
in the exercises and expressed a great deal of satisfaction. 
She was the only one who condescended to give us a 

word of praise Mr. Payson made some remarks 

which, in my opinion, were not at all to the purpose; 
the sum and substance of them was this, that we had 
the fault common in all schools, viz: — speaking so low 
as not to be heard ; and then he went on to explain how 
scholars should be taught to articulate, and gave a 

description of the different methods now in use In 

the afternoon no one was in except Cousin Fanny. We 
closed by reading the Scriptures, and Miss Brown then 

gave us very good advice The close of the school 

has been attended with many unpleasant feelings ; perhaps 
they may arrive in part from a consciousness of not 
having spent my time to the best advantage, indeed, I 
am quite sure I have some compunctious visitings on 
that score; but it is too late to think of it now. All I 
can do is to make the best improvement of the advan- 
tages I have before me We got through with school 

about four; came home and found the house shut up; 
Albert and Fidelia had gone to Jaffrey." 

At this time the three sisters of Dr. Smith were all 
living at home. Margaret Stearns and Elizabeth Morison 
Smith (afterwards Mrs. Leonard) were nearly of the 
same age, while Susan and Sarah Smith (afterwards 
Mrs. Blanchard) were two or three years younger. 
Elizabeth (Stearns) was two years older than Ellen 
Smith, of whom she almost always speaks as "Friend 
Ellen," while Elizabeth Smith, being seven years older, 
is at first Miss E. M. Smith, then Elizabeth M. Smith 



108 Old Lettkks and Journals 



and then Hli/.ahLth. It appears from the Journal of 
Monday, Auj;ust 3uth, 1H30, that Mar>;aret assisted the 
hitter in her wedding preparations. 

[Jaffrey]- "Spent yesterday at home. MarR:aret 
went down to the Baptist meeting and the rest up in 
town. K. M. Smith came over in the evening. This 
morning Susan and myself took a ride to the village. 
Margaret went home with Klizabeth to assist her in 
getting ready to celebrate the nuptials." 

And a week later in Peterborough. 

"Wednesday (Se])t. S, 1830) the marriage ceremony 
was performed between I{. M. S. and Mr. L. W. L. at 
eight o'clock. All went but myself and little Frederick. 
It rained merrily all day. They set out immediately for 
X. Y. in the stage." 

Two months later, under date of November 6th, she 
records a visit to Mrs. Leonard. 

"After tea called over to Mr. Whitney's and made an 

asrreement with Miss lirown to go to Dublin today 

This morning arose quite early. It was one of the most 
delightful mornings I ever witnessed, and particularly 
favorable for horseback riding. We set out about nine, 
and had a delightful ride; arrived at Mrs. Leonard's 
about eleven. I was disappointed in the house; it is 
much more pleasant than I expected. We were very 
cordially received. Elizabeth has a pretty situation, a 

fine house, and, I should think, everything she could 

wish to make her contented and happy We set out 

for home about sunset and arrived after dark." 

Sunday was spent as in ail other New ICngland 
families. They went to church in the morning, read the 
liiblc in the afternoon, and read a sermon aloud in llie 



Old Letters and Journals 109 



evening. There were frequently visitors, and the Journal 
often records that the ministers who came from out of 
town stayed with them. 

[Dr. and Mrs. Smith were with them]. "Sat., Nov. 
21, 1829. Mother and Susan went to Dublin this after- 
noon, and Fidelia and Mr. Smith to Mr. Ainsworth's to 
tea; while Margaret and myself were here alone Mr. 
Bascom of Ashby came. He is very social and pleasant; 
expect to hear him preach to-morrow. 

"Sunday, Dec. 20, 1829. Attended meeting to-day. 
There were but very few people, no singing this forenoon. 
Mr. Abbott preached two very fine sermons ; think some 
of the good people at the school house could have found 

no fault notwithstanding their prejudiced opinions 

Mr. Abbott came home with us and spends the night. 
We have been very much interested this evening in his 
entertaining and instructive conversation. 

"Tuesday, Dec. 22. Yesterday morning Mr. Abbott 
set out for home soon after breakfast on foot, which 
mode of travelling he prefers. About half an hour after 
he left Mrs. Smith and Miss Abbott came for him in a 
chaise, he having been called unexpectedly to attend a 
funeral. 

"Nov. 21, 1830. Very pleasant today. Attended 
meeting with all the family except Mother in the morn- 
ing; came home at noon with Margaret, and took Mother 
this afternoon. Mr. Leonard preached. He gave us 
very fine sermons as usual. There was a respectable 
congregation. Mr. L. came here after meeting and took 
supper. He gave Margaret an invitation to ride home 
with him, which she accepted." 

Several things strike one very forcibly in reading this 
Journal. One is, the little time they gave to sleep. 
They seem literally to have risen early (that is, at five, 

15 



llu Old T,kttkrs and JnrKNAT„s 



four, or three o'clock in the morning) and to have made 
up for it by going to bed late (that is, at eleven, twelve 
or one o'clock at night). It is no wonder the girl of 
sixteen so often closes with the remark, "Very much 
fatigued," sometimes underscored. If by any chance 
she did sleep until a reasonable hour in the morning, or 
take a nap in the afternoon, she mentions it as some- 
thing to be ashamed of. 

"July 11, 1830. When anything remarkable takes 
place I have always been in the habit of setting it down. 
Slept this morning until seven o'clock!!. It does not 
sound quite so well, to be sure, but it is always best to 
tell the truth, and not conceal any part of it." 

Another is that there was little or no regularity in 
the performance of domestic tasks, and that work was 
not always "done up in the forenoon." Washing seems 
to have been done upon any day of the week except 
Sunday, ironing, baking and churning likewise. Still 
another is the continual interchange of visits between 
the four families of John Stearns, William Ainsworth, 
and Samuel and Albert Smith. There are few entries 
in which Elizabeth docs ncjt record a visit from one or 
mure members of one or more of these families, no matter 
whether she is with "Sister Fidelia" in Peterborough, 
with "Sister Ainsworth" in Jaffrcy, or at home. The 
weather, the state of the roads, the time of day or night, 
seem to have been matters of little moment when a visit 
to relatives or friends was in question. 

"Oct. 27, 1829. This day has terminated my first 
week spinning. Margaret has been my company in 
employment, anil Susan weaving. I think we have 
carried on a great stroke of business. Margaret and 



Old Letters and Journals 111 

myself have attended the Ladies' Reading- and Chari- 
table Society. It is the first time I ever went; think 
it is an interesting institution. We took tea at Sister 
Ainsworth's. 

"Nov. 5, 1829. Tuesday. [Mr. Stearns had been 
absent in Boston for two weeks] . Yesterday we washed 
and were in the midst of it when sisters Mary and Fidelia 
came in. We laid it aside (unfinished) with all possible 
speed. They spent the afternoon; expect F. will spend 

a week or two with us before she returns to P This 

evening we had just seated ourselves around a good fire 
and Margaret had begun to read in Biblical Dialogues 
when we heard the sound of father's waggon. We were 
heartily glad to see him after an absence of two weeks ; 
spent the evening in [hearing] his adventures. He left 
our friends in that vicinity in good health except cousin 
Emily, who has lately become the mother of a fine boy. 

"Thursday, Dec. 3. [Mrs. Stearns had started for 
Cambridge two days before] . This morning Margaret 
took a ride. She was going up to Mr. Ainsworth's, but 
Sister Mary met her at the gate and told a pitiful story 
of the situation of her house and nothing [would] do but 
I must go home with her. Margaret consented very 
reluctantly, so I came. The house looked as though it 
had been metamorphosed ; [they had been moving] stoves 
and furniture by the wholesale; engaged all day in 
cleaning. This evening played four games of back- 
gammon with Mr. A. 

"Saturday. Much engaged these two days in cleaning 

and setting things to rights Have begun a pair of 

stockings ; am afraid they will be on the docket a good 
while. I sometimes wish I had a faculty of turning off 
my work as some do, but alas! 'tis folly to wish! I read 
somewhere the other day that there were three difficult 
things, to employ every leisure moment, to keep a secret, 
and to forgive an injury. They are difficult indeed, but 
when practiced do much good to ourselves and to others. 



112 Old Lbtthrs and Journals 



"Tuesday. Well, yesterday we did a fortnight's 
washiiij;, or I should have said I did, for I did the 
principal part of it. This morning assisted in baking 
and other household affairs, [and] after dinner set out 
to come home on horseback with a man's saddle. Got 
to the brook, and the horse had an inclination to drink; 
accordingly he wheeled about very suddenly, and if I 

had not jumped should have fallen off I mounted 

again with some difficulty; called at the Parson's and 
exchanged my saddle for one better adapted to holding 
on; had a good ride the rest of the way. Arrived about 
dark. 

"Tuesday, Dec. 15. Feel very tired and sleepy 
to-night, notwithstanding Margaret has just read from 
Mrs. Barbauld's Works an allegory on sleep, which I 
thought was not much to the ])urpose, as I have been 
nodding all the while. Susan went to Pt- terborough with 
papa; expect she will spend a week with Fidelia. 

Elizabeth went to her sister Fidelia in Peterborough 
Friday the 22d of January, 1830. "After a long cold 
ride, on bare ground part of the way," she writes, "we 
arrived at Brother Smith's. Found Fidelia in tolerable 
health and ICllen washing. Elizabeth M. came up and 
took tea." And two days later, "IvUen went home after 
meeting. Suppose I shall not have the pleasure of her 
company much of the time. This evening commenced 
an article on 'The new theory of the earth,' but was 
interrupted by the entrance of some gentlemen and 
ladies, two Mr. Ingallses, Miss Ingalls, and a Miss 
Loring. In the course of the evening Mr. Smith dis- 
played his skeleton." 

This same skeleton was a part of the furniture of Dr. 
Smith's ofBce in later times, and was sometimes shown 
to the children of the next generation after dinner on 
Thanksgiving days. 



Old Letters and Journals 113 



"Monday, Feb. 9. Yesterday after meeting we came 
home, took supper and rode to Jaffrey; arrived about six 
o'clock and found Susan and Josiah alone. Read a 
letter from Brother Runnells saying that we had a little 
nephew there. He made his appearance about a fort- 
night since. This was joyful news indeed This 

morning Mr. Smith and myself set out for P. about ten; 
left Fidelia to spend a day or two with the girls. Ellen 
came up to stay with me in F.'s absence. 

"Thursday, Feb. 12. It is so long since I wrote in 
my journal and I have been through so many different 
scenes that I can hardly collect my thoughts enough 
to distinguish one day from another. Well, Tuesday, I 
think, we ironed. Ellen and myself were alone most of 
the day. Cyrus was here to tea. In the evening we 
went into Mr. White's room. There was quite a large 
party present; had a very bountiful supper about ten; 
played button and cards until half past twelve! and then 
crept up the back stairs to bed in the dark and cold. 
Wednesday we all went to Jaffrey [home] with a small 

party Brother and Sister Ainsworth and Dr. Howe 

and wife were there in the evening. Played whist and 
button. I think I shall be quite expert in the latter after 
practicing a few more evenings. About twelve we all 
set out for P. but Elizabeth M. and Fidelia and Mr. 
Smith. It was quite warm and rained a little. Arrived 
at Mr. Smith's about two, very much fatigued. Kept 
my bed this morning until half pa.'-t eight! felt as if I 
had been dissipating a week. I was obliged to stay at 
Mr. Smith's all day (very much against my inclination) 
on account of the rain, which had rendered walking 
impossible. Brother Albert called at night and I came 
home with him. They arrived in the course of the day. 
They are gone to Mr. Ames's this evening. 

Wednesday, Feb. 17. Yesterday was washing day. 
Fidelia was not well, so I had most of it to do myself. 
Went to the village this afternoon with Mr. Smith to 



114 Old Lhtfers and Journals 



attend the chemical lecture delivered by Mr. Darling; 
alter the lecture went to Mr. Samuel Smith's and spent 
the night. This morning came home in the sleigh with 
Kllen and found I was much needed. About ten o'clock 
Matlara .\insworlh, Sister .Mary and Frederick came over 
from Jaffrey; Miss Cart>line Smith and Mrs. Sam'l G. 
Smith and Miss Abbott si)ent the afternoon; Mr. Abbott 
and Mr. Sam'l G. Smith called: — so much for company 
to-day. Walked down to the lecture this evening with 
Caroline and Hllcn. 

Saturday, Feb. 20. This week has slipped away 
with more than common speed. Thursday eve. we 
attended a dance at Mr. Loring's. Fritlay evening we 
rode to Jaffrey just for a rarity. It was a vt-ry warm 
day, and the snow wasted surprisingly. Went to Mr. 
Ainsworth's and found lots of company. The next 
ni'jniiiig the snow was melting with great rapiditj', and 
Mr. Smith thought best to get home with the sleigh as 
soon as possible, so we set off about three [leaving] 
Fidelia to stay until next week. I wanted to stay very 

much, as we expected mother this afternoon We 

arrived about sunset, got tea with all possible speed, and 
m^t feeling satisfied with our sleigh ride, took another to 
the village to attend the [chemical] lecture. 

"Sunday, 21. This has been a long day. Did not 
go to meeting on account of the bad going. Mr. Smith 
went to a singing mctting after sujiper. I had serious 
tlujiights of absconding. Recited a long lesson in Paley 
this evening. 

"Thursday, 25. Kllen and myself went up to Dea. 
Smith's and spent the night. We came home about 
noon and found I'idclia sick. She is now better, how- 
ever. Recited a lesson in Paley to-night. 

"Tuesday, March 2. Had a house full of company 
all day. In the first place Dina called. I'ather and 
Mother came up about noon with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 



Old Letters and Journals 115 

and Elizabeth M. had roasted turkey for dinner and lots 
of other good things. Expected Mr. and Mrs. Abbott to 
tea, but they did not come. We have had the pleasure 
of Rev. Mr. Leonard's company this evening, for which, 
I suppose, we must thank Elizabeth. Think him very 
agreeable. [He] spends the night with us, also Father 
and Mother. 

"Saturday, March 6. Good Cousin Fanny has been 
here all day. She is as literary as usual. Have just 
returned from the Lyceum. It was not very interesting 
this evening. Mr. Abbott made a report upon the best 
method of improving in reading. 

"Sunday, March 14. This day is my seventeenth 
anniversary. How rapidly the last year has passed! I 
can hardly reconcile myself to the thought that my life 
is thus far spent and so little improvement! 

"April 4, 1830. Have not seen my journal this 
week. Last Thursday was Fast, a very beautiful day. 
I attended meeting all day, and in the afternoon went to 
Jaffrey with S. \V. Smith. We found it exceedingly bad 
riding; in some places almost impassible. Our people 
were very much surprised to see us ; found Mother very 
unwell of a cold and pain in her side. She had been 
unwell more than a week, but is now better. Friday 
went up to Mr. Ainsworth's; after dinner Sister Mary 
went home with Sidney and I staid to fill her station ; 
nothing alarming took place; alone until last night when 
Susan came up and spent the night. This morning 
came over to Peterborough with Mr. A. Have got 
almost tired of going back and forth at the disposal of 
others [and no wonder] . 

"Monday, April 12. Very unpleasant to-day. Been 
reading and studying most of the time. Began to work 
some lace insertion for Fidelia. John Smith has been 
here this evening to assist Brother Albert in settling with 
the Factory people. 



116 Oi.D Lktthrs and Journals 



"Tuesday, April 20. Kllen set out this morning: 
willi her leather for Dcrry to atteiul school, in company 
with her cousin Caroline. Should like to ^o very much 
mysell. Don't know when I shall have that privilej^e. 

"Tliursday, May 6. Rainy this morning. Had lots 
of company to-day. Father and Mother came over this 
afternoon and are going to spend the night. 

"Friday, May 7. Mother concluded to stay with 
Fidelia until Sunday. After dinner I set my face home- 
wards with Dad, afier a residence of nearly four months 
in Peterborough. Found matters as usual at home. 
Susan was nursing an orphan chicken. 

"Monday, May 10. This morning Susan went over 
to Mr. Jewells to make some mourning bonnets. Mother 
came home about noon with Sarah Smith. She (Sarah) 
was exceedingly grieved at Susan's absence. Suppose 
she has not enjoyed herself very much. 

"Tuesday, 11. Susan came home to-night; she is 
preparing to start for Boston in the morning with Madam 
Ainsworth." 

The first week in June Elizabeth spent with Mrs. 
Ainsworth, and Saturday, June fifth, she writes, "Thurs- 
day morning .Mary and myself went to Dad's and were 
very much surprised to find cousins John (i. e. John 
Stearns of Cambridge, \'t.) and .Mary Wellington." 

Mary Wellington was the daughter of Capt. David 
Wellington, of I.,exington, and Rebecca Stearns, and was 
therefore an own cousin. vShe afterwards married Mr. 
George S. Cary of New York City, merchant, son of 
Jonathan Cary of IJoston. I**li/.abi:th continues: — "This 
morning our cousins set out for Cambridge. I went 
home with Susan. We called at Dr. Howe's and Susan 



Old Letters and Journals 117 

had her qualifications for school keeping examined." 
Susan's school began the next Monday at the little 
school house about a mile from East Jaffrey on the river 
road to Peterborough. Where Margaret's school was 
Elizabeth does not say, but they both seem to have lived 
at home a part of the time at least, for she often speaks 
of carrying them to school in the chaise. 

"Friday, June 18. This afternoon about six o'clock 
news came from Peterboro' that there was a newcomer 
at Brother Albert's. He made his appearance about 
four this afternoon. Thej^ sent for mother immediately. 

"Sunday, June 20. Very rainy all day. Thought 
it was settled that I should not go to meeting, but 
Mr. Dunbar came over to preach, and papa said we must 
go. I had a curiosity to count the number present, and 
found it to be exactly twenty ! 

"Saturday, July 10. Monday morning Margaret, 
Josiah and Susan went to Keene to attend a lecture to 
school committees and school teachers by a gentleman 
from Boston, teacher in the Keene schools. Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith came over in the afternoon and took tea 
here, and then went up to Mr. Ainsworth's. Tuesday, 
we washed in the forenoon and roasted pig for dinner. 
Mrs. Smith, Mr. Ainsworth and Mary were here. 

"Tuesday, Aug. 31. Came up to Mr. Ainsworth's 
this morning with more than half our family and all the 
implements necessarj'- for haying, which made quite a 
respectable waggon load. We called at the Post Office 
and found two letters, one from Caroline dated at St. 
Albans. She had been there about two weeks. Mr. 
Runnell's symptoms were quite alarming when they 
went there, but [at the moment of writing] he was better. 
The other was from Deidamia, saying that her health 
was very poor, and on that account she wishes to come 

16 



118 Old Letters and Journai^ 



home. She says she has a very lonely time in Sister 
C.'s absence. 

"Thursday, Sept. 2. [Still at Mr. Ainsworth's.] For 
two clays past \vl- have had a house full of children and 
comi)any. This morninj^ arose very early and took a 
long ride on horseback. After breakfast swept the 
house through. About eleven Sister Fidelia and Jere- 
miah Smith came; this afternoon, Madam Ainsworth, 
Mrs. Parker and all her children. I went down for 
Mother, who, with Mr. Cutter and wife, made up the 
number of twenty to tea. 

"Dec. 4. [Again at Mr. Ainsworth's.] Ate oysters 
for supper, — the grandest of all eatables. 

"Saturday, Dec. 25. 1830. Wednesday Margaret 
went up to Mr. Ainsworth's to take up her residence for 
the winter, to perform the ofhce of governess to Mary 
and William. Mother went up with her and spent the 
day, and I was left alone of course, and did not enjoy 
it very much. Indeed I never was a great lover of 
solitude." 

A week later she wrote: — 

"Thursday I went to Peterborough alone for Susan. 
I was determined not to stay alone any longer. Expected 
to find the roads almost impassible, but in this was 
happily disappointed; got there about two o'clock, after 
a three hours' ride; found the peoi)le jogging, and very 
unwilling for Susan to come home. Sarah thought she 
had not made half a visit." (She had been there two 
weeks.) 

Years afterward Sarah, then Mrs. Rlanchard, was 
heard to speak of Margaret vStearns as "the flower of her 
family," but Susan seems to have been her particular 
friend at this time. The third week in January found 
Hli/.abeth again at "Sister Fidelia's" and she writes: — 



Old I^etters and Journals 119 



"Took a walk with Kllen after breakfast. Held the 
little boy a good part of the time; he is just the prettiest 
child I ever saw; he looks so handsome, so intelligent, 
and is so good." 



&"■ 



It was during this visit that Susan and Elizabeth 
attended a ball at the Wilson Tavern. They went at 
dark and returned home (to Mr. Smith's) at two in the 
morning. Later in the winter Elizabeth gives an account 
of a performance of the Dramatic Club, "at which," she 
says, "One thousand persons were present." 

The last entrj' in this Journal is March 1, 1831; the 
page opposite is dated Cambridge, Sept. 25, 1831, but is 
a blank. Mrs. Runnells' letters home had already made 
it apparent that her husband was in failing health. He 
died of consumption, October fifth, ten days later. 

The four letters remaining in our bundle were all 
written in the autumn of 1833. Two years and a half 
had brought many changes. Dr. and Mrs. Smith had 
removed to Leominster, and Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth 
to New Ipswich. Caroline Runnells, who had gone to 
her Cambridge home in 1825, with every prospect of 
happiness and prosperity, had returned to her father's 
house with her little boy, a widow. Deidamia Stearns 
had married Martin Wires of Cambridge, Vt., a merchant. 
Two more marriages were in prospect, for it is probable 
that by this time the attachment between Margaret 
Stearns and William Sidney Smith, younger brother of 
Albert, and that between Susan Stearns and his cousin 
John of Elm Hill, had become formal engagements. 
Mrs. Stearns was evidently in failing health, but late in 
the summer of 1833, she went to visit her daughter and 
Sister in Vermont. The latter was then living in New- 



120 Oi.n Lkttkrs and Journals 



port, where Mrs. Stearns was the last week in September, 
and wliere Mr. Stearns joined her. It would appear 
from the following letter that she had been ill: — 

Newport, October 1, 1833. 
My dear son: — 

I arrived at this on Thursday and found 
your mother quite feeble. \Vc think, however, to set 
out on Monday next if the weather is favorable and she 
remains better. Your Uncle's family are all well and 
send their love to you. 

Your affectionate father, 

John Stearns. 

If they left Newport on the 7th of October, Mrs. 
Stearns must have gone to Leominster immediately after 
their arrival in Jaffrey, for on the 14th she was critically 
ill there. It had been necessary to send for Mrs. 
Runnells ; a letter from the latter to her brother and 
sister in Jaffrey written Monday, Oct. 14th, announced 
the extreme seriousness of her condition, and another 
from Dr. Smith to Mr. Stearns, written five days later, 
summoned him to her sick bed. But he arrived too late. 
The same day (Oct. 19lh) she died. 

She was followed four days later by her youngest 
grandson, Josiah Stearns, infant son of William and 
Mary Ainsworth, born in 1832. 

New Ipswich, Oct. 23, 1833. Wednesday, 5 P. M. 

Dear Father: — The event which we have been so 

long fearing has taken place. The sufferings of our 

dear buy are ended. lie tlied about an hour after you 

left us On account of the funeral of our dear mother 

on Friday we have set the funeral of our child to-morrow 
at three o'clock P. M. We sujjpose it will be very 
iucuuvenient for any of your family to attend, but if 



Old Letters and Journals 121 

Josiah and some of the sisters can come we shall be 
grateful. 

Your affectionate and afflicted son 

William Ainsworth. 

New Ipswich being on the direct road between Jaffrey 
and Leominster, it will be seen that Mr. Stearns returned 
to Jaffrey on Wednesday, Oct. 23d, stopping at his 
daughter's house in New Ipswich on the way. 

Mrs. Stearns was buried in the churchyard in Jaffrey, 
where seven years later her husband was laid beside her. 
The family now consisted of father, son, grandson and 
the four daughters. Marriage and death were soon to 
make the circle still smaller. Susan was married Sept. 
2d, Margaret, November 18th, and Deidamia Wires died 
July 2d of the next year; but with Mrs. Stearns' death 
this part of this memorial comes properly to a close. 



SUSAN STEARNS SMITH 



Susan Stearns was her mother's child. She had her 
mother's industry and thrift, and her mother's gift for 
making the most of ver^' limited resources. She had the 
quick temper, the vivacity and the warm, affectionate 
heart of the Phinneys. She had tln.^ gift of feeling, and 
therefore enjoyed much and suffered much. 

A small square book, like a child's copy book, made 
of the ribbed yellow paper of a hundred years ago, lies 
before the writer. It contains poems by Montgomery, 
Moore and Henry Kirke White, and some fugitive verses 
copied from magazines and newspapers, all written in an 
unformed girlish hand. The cover bears the name of 
Susan Stearns. It is her commonplace book, and the 
immaturity of the writing shows that it is a relic of 
her school days. Memorizing hymns and passages of 
Scripture was an important exercise at Miss Nichols' 
school, and while her own girls were growing up one of 
her pleasures was to hear them recite verses they had 
memorized either as tasks or ol their own accord. 
Furness' Hymn to the soul and Mrs. Ilemans, Bernado 
del Carpio were two poems she was never tired of 
hearing from them. She had to the end of her days a 
genuine love of poetry, and upon occasion could make 
ai)t and graceful rhymes herself. This book is the only 
writing of hers before 1833 that has come down to her 
descendants. 



Susan Stearns Smith 123 

The best introduction to the story of her married 
life is a letter written by her nephew, the Rev. Moses 
Thurston Runuells. 

Newport, N. H., Nov. 1899. 

Allow me to beguile a few moments of my lonely 
Thanksgiving — so different from those of 1840-44, when 
they alternated between Elm Hill and the village — by 
giving you an idea or two of reminiscence respecting 
your dear mother. 

My mother's sisters were all kind to me as a father- 
less little boy not likely to be long an inhabitant of earth. 
Each holds her own sacred place in my childish memory, 
but none so definite and well retained, I may add, so 
truly comforting, as my excellent Aunt Susan. The 
incident is briefly this: — I had been taken to Peter- 
borough by my mother a few months after coming from 
Vermont, but only to the village. I was then three 
years old, and it was by far the biggest place I had ever 
seen. I wondered at the brick block. I wondered at 
the three storied Smith dwelling (then owned by Dr. 
FoUansbee). I wondered at the Hon. Samuel Smith 
cottage near by. There I heard for the first time a 
piano played by Miss Sarah Smith. There I saw for 
the first time a big cake of maple sugar, which the Hon. 
Samuel had on his supper table, slivering off its delicate 
sweetness a mouthful of which he handed to me. Then, 
too, my mother took me down to Dr. Abbott's big brick 
house, then almost the only one on that street, where 
lived the genial "Aunt Abb}'," and where there was a 
multitude of books. Well, a few weeks afterward my 
mother was called from Grandpa Stearns' in Jaffrey to 
go to New Ipswich, probably on account of the illness 
of little Josiah, who died Oct. 22 or 23, and within three 
or four days of our grandmother Stearns' death at 
Leominster. I was inconsolable because I could not go 
with her as I always had. I would not be comforted. 
I could not be reconciled. My good Aunt Susan came 



124 SrsAN Stkarns Smith 



to the rescue. She tried to pacify me in various ways, 
not with assured success; at last she said, "Me shall ^o 
to Peterborous:h ; he shall go to Peterborough with 
Grandpa and Auntie." I recall her image most vividly; 
the tones of her sweet voice and the peculiar emphasis she 
put upon "he" and "Peterborough" are still sounding in 
my ears. I remembered my former visit there and was 
calmed in a moment. 

My mother went to New Ipswich, and I stayed 
behind in peace. I thought there was nobody like Aunt 
Susan, and truly there wasn't, for I was "going to Peter- 
borough." The following Saturday the promise began 
to be fulfilled. Grandpa Stearns used frequently to 
ride over of a Saturday evening or Sunday morning to 
hear Dr. Abbott preach, but he never could prolong his 
visit; he must be back again for his farm work Sunday 
evening or early .Monday morning at the farthest. So 
Saturday afternoon the new chaise was wheeled out, 
dusted and bound to the not over swift beast, and 
Grandpa and Aunt Susan with little Moses bt-tween them 
set off for Peterborough. There was no one at the 
village on whom they had any claim for Sunday hospi- 
tality. Grandpa's tastes and Aunt Susan's heart (you 
understand) led them both to VAm Hill and nowhere 
else! I thought that did not seem like the Peterborough 
of my previous visit ! I was too young to be taken to 
church the next day, hence all I saw of Peterborough 
that time was the South Factory Village and your father's 
homestead. I could not understand at that age why my 
former impressions were not reproduced. lUit there was 
so much to interest me at Kim Hill, and your excellent 
grandparents did so nuich for my entertainment, that I 
was thoroughly satisfied. I confessed to your mamma, 
riding home Monday morning, that I had had a good 
time, and never asked for any explanation of the differ- 
ence between that and my first visit. 



Susan Stkarns Smith 125 



In March, 1834, she emerges as a distinct personality 
in a letter to her sister Fidelia at L,eominster. We know 
from a later letter that she visited her sister Deidamia in 
Cambridge, Vermont, during the winter of 1833-34, and 
it would seem that before returning to Jaffrey she went 
to Ivcomiuster, whither Mr. Smith went to bring her 
home. 

TO HER SISTERS AT LEOMINSTER 

I was safe and sound at home yesterday P. M. at five 
o'clock, and never so tired in my life. It was the most 
uncomfortable weather I was ever out in. I think I 
shall not venture out again before the first or second 
week in April. By that time if there is tolerable trav- 
elling Father or Josiah and I will come to Leominster. 
I found your boy, Sister C, perfectly well and happy. 
He is entirely over his cold and his appetite is very 
good. I think he will soon have his crumbs picked up. 
Matters in general seem to have gone on well under 
Elizabeth's administration; she is none of your slack 
housekeepers — it is not necessary for me to sa3^ anything 
more. Kiss the little folks for me. I think when I 
come to see them again I shall stay longer than just to 
get supper, lodgings and breakfast. 

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1834, at her father's house. 
Rev. Laban Ainsworth married Susan Stearns to John 
Smith. The family had been bereaved of a mother and 
a sister within the year, and the wedding was a simple 
and quiet one. Probably only relatives were present. 
We know that some of the Lexington cousins were 
among the guests, and that the absence of Dr. Smith 
was much regretted. The wedding gown was a fine 
white lawn, and part of it still exists in the form of a 
"garibaldi" waist, made in the fashion of 1860-70. The 

17 



126 Susan Stearns Smith 



bride and gjoum bct off immediately on their wedding 
journey iu a chaise. They drove to Bath, N. H., by 
way of the Franconia Notch, and then visited Cambridj^e, 
Vt. The second week in October found them keeping 
house at Kim Hill. 

TO FIDELIA SMITH AT LUOMINSTER 

Oct. 10, 1834. 
We are now keeping house. I have got my things 
pretty much regulated. I found it was a great deal of 
work, for I was not much more than half ready to be 
married. I hope you are coming up to Peterborough 
this fall to make a good long visit. Tell Mr. Smith I 
shall forgive him for not coming to the wedding only on 
the ground of his coming now, as he promised. I don't 
know whether you have had any of tlie cake or not, so 
I scud you some. I would send more, but this is about 
all I have. You must give Sue a good large bii. I am 
inclined to think Frederick will not see himself wronged. 

I think you will see Mr. Smith and myself at L 

sometime this fall, but how soon I cannot tell. I will 
tell about our journey when I see you. It seemed very 
gloomy to me at Cambridge, as you would readily 
imagine. Mr. Wires wished me to take some of Deida- 
mia's things, but I did not know what to select. Poor 
Deidamia! I little thought of this when I was there 
last winter. 

Deidamia Wires died July 2, 1834, aged twenty -six. 
She left no children. A few souvenirs of her, a school- 
girl theme on the subject of African slavery iu the form 
of a letter to her Aunt Fales, written when she was a 
pupil at Miss Nichols* school in Jalfny in 1820, one of 
her wedding cards, a few pieces of Lowestoft ware 
which probably formed part of her wedding outfit, are in 
possession of her nieces, and help to make her a real 
personage to them still. 



Susan Stearns Smith 127 

The visit to Leominster spoken of in this letter was 
made the second week in November. 

TO FIDELIA SMITH 

Nov. 10, 1834. 

We had a very comfortable ride up to New Ipswich, 
although it was some time before we got there. We 
stopped at lyunenburg. Mr. Smith had to go to the old 
burying ground, and it took a full hour. 

I went to Jaffrey last Monday with Father when he 
went home. My errand was to get the things they had 
for sister Margaret. Among us all we got ready quite 
a box full. Father sent her some very nice shoes. 

The ladies here have formed a society called The 
Ladies' Peterborough Assoc, for Mutual Improvement 
and Charitable Purposes. It promises to be both inter- 
esting and useful. 

Margaret Stearns married William Sidney Smith, 
paper manufacturer, Nov. 18, 1834, and for many years 
lived in Belleville, C. W. She died in 1851, and her 
husband and children returned to Peterborough. 

Apparently the custom of having alternate Thanks- 
giving dinners at Elm Hill and with Fidelia Smith was 
not yet established, and the first Thanksgiving dinner 
was eaten at Elm Hill. 

TO FIDELIA SMITH 

Dec. 5, 1834. 9.30 P. M. 
We went home at Thanksgiving, starting about 3 P. 
M. and arriving about sunset. I did not know for a 
certainty whether we were expected to dinner and 
thought we had better make sure of one somewhere. 
They were all very much disappointed that we did not 
come before. Caroline had a bountiful dinner and only 
four to sit down to table. She said she was so disap- 



128 Susan Stkarns Smith 

pointed we did not come that she could not eat a bite; but 
we got the matter settled after a while. I don't know but 
I was a little too particular. . . .We all visited the Joslins 
Friday P. M. and had :i very jjood time. We came home 

in the evening Mr. Smith is quite unwell with a 

cold, but I think with good nursing he will soon be well 
again. He took his herb drink and went to bed two 
hours ago. 

Mrs. Smith made another visit at Leominster soon 
after the New Year, and upon her return wrote an 
unusually long letter to her sister in which she gives an 
account of the wedding of Eunice, oldest daughter of 
Capt. Wm. Wilson of the Wilson Tavern. 

Feb. 15, 1835. 

I believe there was considerable said about my 
writing when I left L. , and if I mistake not, I promised 
to do so. I had a letter from Margaret last week, which 
I left with your mother the other day. She said she 
would send it to you. I feel very thankful tliat Margaret 
is so well over her fever, and that she is in such good 
spirits. It is a blessing we have all learned dearly to 
jirize to hear of the comfort and welfare of our absent 
friends. May it be the will of our Heavenly Father 
that our number shall be continued to do good and to 
add to the comfort and enjoyment of those around us. 
I spent a day or two at your father's last week. ICllen 
and I seemed to enjoy it pretty well. It put me in mind 
of old times, when you were there. Somehow I can't 
realize that I am a married woman. 

I suppose you have not lieard that Miss I\unice is 
njarried, .so I have a bit of news to tell you. The 
important event took place last Tluirstlay evening, about 
seven o'clock, and what is more Mr. Smith, myself and 
Car»jline were present. It was a great grantl time. 
Things passed off just as they should, and we enjoyed it 
very much. The party consisted of about sixty [guests] , 



Susan Stearns Smith 129 

more than half married people. The cake was a very 
large loaf with a little one on top, something like a 
bushel with a peck measure placed on it, iced and 
sanded. Dr. Abbott and Mr. Hoit performed the cere- 
mony. Eunice looked pretty I assure you. Her dress 
was a white bishop lawn skirt and white satin spencer, 
short sleeves and long kid gloves, and black satin shoes. 
The supper was at half past ten, and after that the 
ministers left. They had dancing (a plan of Colonel 
Wilson's, who wanted Eunice to have an old fashioned 
wedding) ; it commenced about an hour after the cere- 
mony. We left about twelve. What time the party 
broke up I dont know. 

We have all had bad colds. My husband has been 
complaining a good deal, and mother has been almost 
sick, but is getting better. 

The household at Elm Hill now consisted of Mr. 
Smith's parents and their three youngest unmarried 
children, Nancy, Caroline and Jeremiah. The oldest 
son had been for some years practicing law in Bath, N. 
H., and had married there; William, the second son, had 
gone West in 1831; Mrs. Gordon, the oldest daughter, 
and her family had followed him in 1832, and had settled 
in Montebello, 111. ; while the second daughter, Mrs. 
Fox, was living in Peterborough in the house opposite 
the Walker house, at what was known afterward as 
Carter Corner. Nancy and Caroline were much away 
from home, and it is easy to imagine that Mrs. Smith 
passed some lonely hours. Her letters show that she 
did not escape the nostalgia of the young wife. There 
is here a gap in the correspondence of nearly eighteen 
months. The next letter is dated July 22, 1836. This 
was an eventful year. The first child, Mary Frances 
Smith, was born January 7th. The little namesake at 



I'^O SrsAN Sti'arns Smith 



Leominster, Susan Stearns, daugliter of Albert and 
Fidelia Smith, died April 20th, after a brief illness- 
Later in the spring' came another flitting from the old 
homestead, when Caroline and Jertrmiah went West with 
Mrs. Fox and her family. It proved a sad journey to 
Mr. and Mrs. Fox. 

TO FIDELIA S.MITH 

Sunday morninj;. 
The report you heard at New Ipswich of the death of 
Mrs. Fox's little boy has proved a melancholy fact. He 
was taken with the mea--les the day after they left 
Louisville. They had medical advice and thought he 
was doing well. At Quincy they found two skilful 
physicians, but the disease had taken an unfavorable 
turn, and they pronounced his case hopeless. He 
lingered a few days and then died. They buried him 
at Quincy within forty miles of Montebello. You can 
judge of their affliction. It was heart rending sorrow to 
the mother and to all of them. I never saw a family 
more bound up in a child than they were in him, and he 
was a very promising little boy. I often think of him and 
little Susan, how healthy and promising they both were, 
and how suddenly taken away. How little dependence 
we can place on life and health! Charlotte was very 
sick with the measles, but was getting belter. She told 
her mother she did not want to get well, she had rather 

die and go to Heaven with her dear little brother 

They fuund the western friends all well, and William 
thinks of coming home this fall. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fox settled in Denmark, Iowa. A 
pencil drawing of the log cabin which was their first 
home hung for many years on the walls of the south 
chamber at Elm Hill. The letter above cited gives also 
a vivacious account of .some of Mrs. Smith's early trials 
with "help," which began very early in her married l;fe. 



Susan Stearns Smith 131 

"My promising little girl, Margaret," she says, "took 
French leave of nie three weeks ago at dead of night. 
I never was so astonished in my life. I could not 
persuade myself that she was actually gone, for I thought 
she did not know enough to run away. It rained stoutly 
all the next day, but I started off after her and found her 
snug at home. She made no complaint onl}'' that she 
wanted to go home. I brought her back, and the nt-xt 
morning what does she do but get up before any one in 
the house and run away again. I just thought she 
might stay, for her help was not worth going for. I 
have heard nothing from her since; but I have now a 
little girl of Mrs. Kimball's, Elizabeth Smith, who is 
worth half a dozen of her. I should be glad to get an 
older girl; I have tried to find one but in vain. When I 
feel prett}^ well (which is most of the time) I get along 
very comfortablj' ; when I don't, the work seems rather 
burdensome, and just now in hay -time the woman I had 
to wash for me has given out, so I have that to do. But 
I am growing prudent and careful every day, and get 
along as easily as I can. Tolly is in remarkable good 
case. She seems to gain strength everj' daj', and is very 
active and good natured; and this is all I wish or desire. 
Tell Frederick I think cousin Tolly would enjoy a frolic 
with him very much. She is begging fun of everj^body 
who comes along." 

TO FIDELIA SMITH 

Oct. 16, 1836. 
The girls are gone to Exeter, and I am going to walk 
to church to-day. My health is very good, so that I do 
lots of work. Mother and I have accomplished a great 
deal since the girls have been away. I have a good 
little girl, and we have another boy whom Mr. Smith 
has taken, so you see my family is quite large. Little 
Frances is very well and is as little trouble as any child 
need be. She has had one tooth through for a fortnight 
and weighs nineteen pounds. I think I am wonderfullj- 
blest with regard to my own health and hers. Tell 



132 SrsAx Stearns Smith 



Frederick cousin Tolly is well and has a good appetite 
as well as himself. 

But "Tolly" had her share of the troubles of baby- 
hood, for the next letter to Leominster is to ask medical 
advice for her. 

Most of these letters were written Sunday afternoon. 
Week day evenings and Sunday afternoons were her 
times for writing from the first. One of the sisters-in- 
law has spoken of her habit of writing evenings after 
every one was in bed during these early years, and it 
was then without doubt that she cultivated her natural 
gift of letter writing to such a degree that her letters 
came to be prized by all her correspondents. Susan 
Smith loved a letter. She loved to write one and loved 
to receive one. A letter written by the hand of one she 
loved was to her something very near her heart, some- 
thing next to seeing and talking with the writer. Years 
afterward when family and household cares rested upon 
her with a weight hardly to be borne, she said to one of 
her correspondents that her only connection with the 
outside world was through her letters. In one of the 
very latest she ever wrote she said pathetically, "During 
the ten days that K. was here I did not have a single 
letter from anybody." In her own she was preeminently 
her real self. She knew just what her correspondent 
wanted to hear, and she knew just how to put it. She 
had the art (to alter slightly the words of Hiuueti^re) 
'of enhancing by the expression or the sentiment, by 
the vivacity of a turn or the unexpectedness of a touch, 
things that are ordinary or common, to give to good 
sense and even to banality the charm and iiiquniicy of 



Susan Stearns Smith 133 

paradox." She had not what would now be considered 
a good education. The great letter writers among 
women were no more than names to her. But she had 
the gift, and in her humble sphere she made the most of 
it. For these reasons and also because her husband did 
not write letters easily the family correspondence fell to 
her share. She wrote to the absent daughters of the 
house. "It is chiefly through your pen that I expect to 
hear from home," wrote Caroline Reynolds in 1841, 
"and I hope that will not fail me." She wrote to her 
own sisters, cousins, aunts, nephews and nieces, to her 
minister's wife, and, after they began to go away from 
home, to her own children. Of all these letters only one 
written to Mrs. Cutler in 1848 and a few written to her 
children, after 1860, remain — scarcely enough to give a 
correct idea of them or of her. 

Children followed in quick succession after 1838, and 
every year brought some change either in her household 
or in the families of those nearest her. The oldest son, 
John Stearns, was born November 27, 1837. In 1838, 
William Smith visited his parents, and when he returned 
to the West he took with bim a young wife, Elizabeth 
Stearns. The wedding took place October 9th, and they 
started immediately for 111. in company with some old 
neighbors of Mr. Smith's. "Cousin Hiram [Wellington] 
has not given up the idea of going West," wrote Eliza- 
beth Smith from Boston, October 11th, "but he thinks it 
doubtful whether he goes this fall." It was some 
compensation for the loss of the beloved youngest sister 
that Dr. and Mrs. Smith left Leominster this year and 
returned to Peterborough permanently. 



18 



134 Susan Stearns Smith 

In the spring of 1838, Mrs. Jonathan Smith died at 
Bath, and some weeks or months later, the precise date 
is unknown to the writer, Nancy Smith was called 
thither to take charge of her brother's household. There 
is little or nothing to tell us of the family life from 1837 
to 1840. A letter from Caroline Smith, written in Sept., 
1839, speaks of sickness at Elm Hill: — 

You seem to have had a great deal of sickness at 
home since I left. It must be altered times — we used to 
have so little. Father and mother were very seldom 
unwell. They confine themselves. I am afraid, too 
closely to the house during the winter. Tell them they 
ought to read Dr. Combe again on that subject. 

There is a merry letter from Elizabeth Smith written 
the summer following her marriage. 

FROM MRS. WILLIAM SMITH 

La Harpe, Aug. 2, 1839. 
Your letter of July 8, I received two days since, and 
Caroline's of June 9 came to-day. I am very happy to 
hear from you so often. It is a compensation for not 

hearing from you last winter I must tell you that 

we are fairly settled in our new habitation. We took 
possession the fourth of July, so that by this time we 
have all things arranged and I begin to consider myself 
a regular housL-kceper. I have been very bu^y getting 
things into place, and this week have been giving the 
finishing touch by painting, which occasions a great deal 
of surprise anujiig the sons of the Suckers. They come 
in and say, "Well, I never saw a woman paint before." 
Wni. gravely tells them, "Oh, yes, that is the trade my 
wife followed at the East." 

The second son was born May 26, 1840, and named 



Susan Stearns Smith 135 

Jonathan for his grandfather and uncle. One month 
later Mrs. Smith's father died at the home of his daughter 
Fidelia, after a brief illness. It was heavy sorrow to 
the sister in Illinois, for she was his youngest and 
favorite child. "I have thought very often of him since 
I heard he was unwell in the spring," she wrote, "and 
always imagined him looking pale and serious, as he did 
the day I left home. But though I felt some apprehen- 
sions I was by no means prepared for such distressing 



news." 



FROM HIRAM WELLINGTON 

Boston, Aug. 31, 1840. 
I write on this occasion not only in behalf of my 
brothers and sisters, but because I am prompted by my 
own feelings to address you, and through you your 

whole family Your father was a dear Uncle to us 

all, kind, affectionate, and desirous of promoting the 
happiness of all about him, and we all sympathize with 
you in your affliction. I well recollect how pleased I 
used to be when Uncle Stearns visited us, he was always 
so happy and pleasant, so tranquil and composed, so 
perfectly resigned to whatever might befall him that it 
was delightful to be in his company. I sincerely believe 
he lived the life of a Christian, sustained the troubles, 
anxieties and vexations of the world like a philosopher, 
and died a good man. 



The home in Jaffrey was now broken up, and soon 
afterward Mrs. Runnells went to the Parsonage at 
Jaffrey, where she remained for many years in charge of 
the household of Rev. Laban Ainsworth. 

The second week in August, Mr. Smith was sum- 
moned to Bath, by the death of his brother Jonathan. 



136 SrsAN Stharns Smith 



He returned after a slu>rt absence, bringing with him 
the three now doubly orphaned boys, his brother's 
children, and for some years they lived at IChn Hill. 
This made a family of six children of whom the oldest 
was but nine. Mrs. Smith was now thirty -one years old. 
The wedding of Nancy Smith and Dr. John H. Foster 
took place September 21.^t, of the same year, and Dr. 
and Mrs. Foster set off on their wedding journey 
immediately in a chaise. A dear and lifelong friend of 
the family, oldest daughter of the nearest neighbor, then 
a girl of sixteen, was present at the wedding. "I felt 
cross with Dr. F'oster for taking Miss Nancy awa^' from 
us," she told the writer some months ago; "I went to 
the top of the hill and watched them out of sight." 

In the summer of 1841, four of the six children had 
the scarlet fever. They were all very sick, and the 
baby, Jonathan, died. The difficulty of finding any one 
to take care of them or to assist in the household, 
aggravated the situation ten fold. But there were kind 
neighbors. The young girl already mentioned, Sophia 
Gowing, came and sat by them while Mrs. Smith was 
busy with household cares. She had not had the fever; 
it is pleasant to record that she did not take it. 

There were those who interested themselves in find- 
ing a good domestic for Mrs. Smith. 

FROM MRS. ELIZABETH HALE SMITH, DOVER 

I have had it in my heart to transfer to you the 
young woman now living with us because I felt that I 
could speak of her qualifications with more certainty 
than of those of a stranger; but I think I can now 



Susan Stearns Smith 137 

recommeud to you one whom you will like yet better 
(provided you are still in want of a domestic) ; her name 
is Charlotte Durgin, sister to our Clarissa, and one of a 
family of nine sisters and three brothers. Her age is 
twenty, her temper seems perfectly good, and her habits 
are very industrious; she is a healthy, pleasant-looking, 
tidy, wholesome girl, whom no one could dislike to have 
near their person. She agrees to do your work for a 
dollar a week, provided it is not very hard, in which 
case she would ask seven shillings and six pence. She 
would expect to have her expenses from hence to P. 
paid, and agrees to wait on the table and hand tea in 
case of company when required, a point about which 
girls sometimes boggle. 

A good recommendation for the mistress seems to me 
quite as important as one for the maid, and though I 
have in your favor the united testimony of all the kindred 
whom I ever heard speak of you, yet it all does not 
weigh so much with me as our dear Jane's reminiscences 
of you while domesticated under the same roof. It is 
far easier to make a good impression on mere visitors 
than to leave on the mind of a child eleven years old an 
enduring recollection that one is invariably gentle and 
good. 

FROM MRS. WILLIAM SMITH 

La Harpe, Oct. 20, 1841. 
We had two letters from St. Louis last week ; one was 
from William (Wm. H. Smith of St. Louis) giving some 
account of their journey. He said he enjoyed his visit 
at Peterborough very much, particularly at your house. 
He spoke of the happy appearance of the family, and 
said your little flock of children was admirably managed. 
I suppose Frances is quite a miss by this time. I cannot 
imagine how she looks. Does she remember anything 
about "Aunt Ibider?" She has probably ceased to 
wonder why Aunt Caroline has not a man to live with 
her. 



138 Susan Stearns Smith 

from fkkdkkick smith ainswokth, mkdical 
instructor at bowdoin coluhoe 

Bowdoin Collej^^e. March. 1842. 
Your kind letter was duly and thankfully received 
and read. So punctual an answer was really more than 
I expected, and I assure you that I was much jj^ratified 
with the idea that with all the arduous labors which so 
large and so small a famil}' must impose upon you 
durinj? the day, and the anxious thouj^ht which they 
would naturally call up in the still ni^ht, you should yet 
find or take the time to write to me. Now I am not, as 
you well know, over and above j^iven to sentiment, nor 
am I in the least deg^ree afflicted with homesickness; yet 
the pleasantest moments I have here are spent in reading 
the few but precious epistles which I receive from far off 
friends. Letters are to me like portraits ; while I am 
reading them I can distinctly recall the features of the 
writer, and they have this advantaije over the painting, 
that they recall those virtuous qualities which I admire, 
and which no one can express on canvas. I can seem 
to see you at this moment (Sunday evening) sitting with 
the "old folks" in their room ; Aunt Nancy is sitting with 
the quiet dignity of age at one corner of the fire; Uncle 
is reading a sermon and you are beside him. while in 
the oi)posite corner Uncle Jonathan is comfortably 
ensconced in his rocking chair ; he is listening intently, 
and every little while he lifts up that forefinger and gives 
an ejaculatory "Yes, Yes" whenever a passage strikes 
him more forcibly than the rest. Your brood of bairns 
are safely stowed away, and enjoying that quiet and 
refreshing slumber which visits no pillow but that of 
innocence and childhood. Those you love best are 
around you and there is nothing to be anxious about 
save those ills to which as frail mortals we arc all of us 
at all times subject. True, to-day is as yesterday, and 
to-morrow may be even as to-day, and 1 do not believe 
you wcjuld be hajtpy if it were not so. 1 can conceive of 
no more miserable stale than that of constant change. 



Susan Stearns Smith 139 



Frederick Ainsworth was only eleven years younger 
than his Aunt. 

This was a year of sickness and bereavement, and in 
later days Mrs. Smith spoke of it to her daughters as 
one of the hardest of her life. The grandmother had an 
attact of pneumonia in May; Payson, the oldest of the 
orphan nephews, was nearly helpless from necrosis of 
the leg, and required constant care and nursing; Henry, 
the next younger, had a serious illness in August; and 
the same month the grandfather fell ill of typhoid fever 
and died. The death of William Ainsworth in June, an 
irreparable loss to his family, was severely felt by his 
sisters-in-law. "How truly has he been a brother in our 
family," wrote Elizabeth Smith from La Harpe, "and 
how much love and gratitude we owe his memory." 
The third son was born October 21st, and named 
Jonathan, in memory of his grandfather, uncle and baby 
brother. 

But the next year was brightened by visits from the 
absent sisters. Mrs. Fox came to visit her mother, and 
Mrs. William Smith and her two children accompanied 
her. The younger of these two children died in Peter- 
borough, March 29th, 1844. Scarlet fever had again 
broken out in the neighborhood. The baby, Jonathan, 
suffered very severely from it, and did not entirely 
recover until he had left not only babyhood but child- 
hood far behind. When Mrs. Fox returned to the West 
she took Payson and William Hubbard, the oldest and 
the youngest of the orphan nephews, ^ith her. Dr. 
Smith records her departure in his journal in these 
words: — 



14<^ S''^\v Stkarns Smith 

"Suiulay, August 27, 1843. After meeting went up 
to John Smith's to see Mrs. Fox start for home. Payson 
and William jjo with them. John will carry them to 
Worcester, so they will take the cars Tiiesilay morning;. 
Mrs. Fox said she should probably never came back 
ag^in, and that it would not be long before we should 
all meet again. I thought I never should see ht-r more. 
The boys went away light-hearted. The scene was 
rather sad." 

This good woman had many sorrows. Only two of 
her family of fourteen children lived to grow up. Her 
presentiment was verified, for she never re -visited Elm 
Hill. She died in 1863. She is said to have borne a 
strong resemblance to her mother. Elizabeth Smith 
returned to the West in the summer of 1844. A letter 
from her written during her journey gives a vivid picture 
of the delays and discomforts of western travel. She 
went home by way of N. Y. and Pittsburg. The rail- 
road ended at Chamberslturg, and she traveled from 
there to Pittsburg, 150 miles, in stage coach, whence 
the journey was entirely by water, and the Ohio and 
Mississippi were in flood! 

The children were sent to school when they were 
four years old. The school house was half a mile 
distant (much too far for them to come home at noon) 
on a road pleasant in summer, but terribly cold and 
bleak in winter. Again it was good, kind Sophia 
G<jwing, who mothered the little ones in their first 
terms. The sessions were from 9 A. .M. uiilil noon, and 
from 1 until 4 P. M. The youngest children sat out 
these long hours on the front seats. "They used to get 
so hungry," says Mrs. Sawyer. "One afternoon one of 
them slid down from liis seat, ami all unobserved by the 



Susan Stearns Smith 141 



teacher, made his way up to me to ask, 'Sophia, isn't 
there something more to eat in the pail?' 'I am afraid 
not.' 'Isn't there a few crumbs, Sophia,' persisted the 
hungry baby?" Of the trio, Henry, Frances and John, 
a generous and kindly disposition, a great love of fun, 
and inexhaustible animal spirits, made Henry the leader. 
It is told of them that one spring afternoon, when their 
mother had gone to the village, they took their bread 
and milk down to the brook in front of the house to eat. 
There was much more surface water about the house 
than now, and this brook (on the west side of the road) 
was full of water from the time of melting snows until 
the middle of summer. When they had eaten their 
supper, nothing would do but they must set their bowls 
afloat. Then they had to jump across to get them. 
Henrj^ and Frances found no difl&culty, but John, being 
younger and smaller, rested half way, and the brook was 
deep. When his mother came home she found him in 
bed, and his clothes on the line drying. And he was 
subject to the croup. It is also told of them that one 
evening a few years later, there was a party of neighbors 
at Elm Hill, and a few of the children accompanied 
their parents. The children went out in the dining 
room to play, while their elders sat around the fire in 
the parlor. Henry and John grew somewhat too rough 
for the house, and John was hurt, and cried so loud that 
Mr. Smith came out to see what was the matter. 
Judging Henry to be the more to blame, he sent him 
out into the kitchen for the rest of the evening. A wet 
blanket descended on the other children for Henry was 
the life of the party. After sitting in their chairs and 
looking gloomily at each other for a few minutes, 



19 



144 SusAN MUARNS SmITH 



summer "all things being equal" we shall all visit you. 
When I read in the paper of the frequent meetings of the 
Sons and Daughters of Temperance, and of Mr. i-5illings' 
able and independent report to the Society, I felt con- 
vinced that he had done a work which Mr. Cutler by his 
greatest efforts could not have accomplished. There is 
a spirit of reform awakened in that part of the Society 
where it is most needed. I rejoice in your prosperity, 
and it is this that reconciles me to the broken ties 
between us, and makes me feel that I should enjoy a 
visit to Peterborough. . . . My chief aim now is to educate 
my children aright; it is this that employs my heart and 
hands continually, for I know that the circumstances 
and events of each day have an influence on the charac- 
ters of children. I endeavor to keep them working or 
playing; anything is better for them than idleness. 
Once I wished for a boy. If I had your boys I should 
build brighter castles in the air even than I now do. I 
remember saying to you once that there was an Indian 
summer for ns yet after the children have all come, and 
you answered, Yes, if the poor mothers were not all 
worn out first. 

Mrs. Smith's reply to this is dated April 3, 1849, and 
is the only letter of hers written between 1836 and 1860, 
that remains. 

TO MRS. CUTLER 

I have not heard from you very particularly since 
you wrote me. I am writing therefore, on the ])resump- 
tiiMi of your being still at Lexington. Some one whom 
I have somewhere met has observed that you were not 
anxious that Mr. Cutk-r should be settled again at 
present. It is true that in sotne places, antl evLii any- 
where, you may do much good, but a shei)hcrd who h:i^ 
the care of a flock and feels interested in their particular 
welfare can do much more; whereas an unsettled minister 
has comparatively little but sermons to take up his time. 



Susan Stearns Smith 145 

But I almost feel as if I must apologize for having taken 
it upon me to mark out a course for others. You will 
pardon nie when I say that it is only a desire for the 
advancement of Christianity which has prompted these 
remarks. I was thinking how I felt last summer when 
we were a flock without a shepherd. Mr. Billings has 
had quite a respectable congregation this winter, at least 
as far as numbers are concerned. He seems to have a 
good deal of influence over the young, for which I am 
very glad. He continues to be popular with all classes. 
I hope we shall have a good Sunday School this summer ; 
last summer it seemed to do but little good; this, how- 
ever is more depending on the parents and teachers than 
the minister. Mr. B. is, I should think, rather excitable 
and ardent in his feelings, and I fear, will wear out too 
soon; he has, however, supplied bj'- exchanges nearly 
every other Sabbath since he was settled. The people 
seem to be united in him, and I hope nothing will arise 
to disturb our peace. The Sons of Temperance have 
gathered a large societ}^ here since last fall. It was first 
set on foot by some young men in our society, A. S. 
Scott and others. Mr. B. joined them, and its members 
are now from among all the different religious societies 
in town. My husband has not joined them; he calls 
himself a temperance man, but has not j-et been con- 
verted to a pledge; in his view he stands almost alone. 
Our Ladies' Society seems to flourish; the meetings have 
been well attended. The last gathering w^as at Mrs. 
Gowing's, where one hundred and twenty-five took tea 
and the gentlemen came in the evening, — and from all 
societies. It was a very pleasant meeting, but as a 
general thing I should prefer that the number be confined 
to about thirty, as more work will be done and more 
good influence diffused. The Sewing Circle attached to 
the Presbyterian Societj' has been for some time discon- 
tinued, for what reason I can not tell. Cousin Fanny 
ascribes everything that is wrong to Mr. Lamb, because, 
I suppose he is not an abolitionist Mr. Smith has 



146 Susan Stearns Smith 



lately been readinpf the Memoirs of Dr. ChaIlInu^^ What 
a pure, benevolent and heavenly -minded Christian from 
his youth up! I think wherever these books are read 
they mu?t do j^ood. For my own part, when I see how 
much better we may become and how much more jjood 
we may do if we will pursue the course and submit to 
the trials which Ik- did to attain it, I feel self-con- 
demned, and almost as if I had lived in vain. But the 
good influence Dr. Channing^'s biography may have must 

stop where self-condemnation commences Do you 

see many or any of my cousins? Please to remember 
me to them, especially to Mrs. Jonathan Cary; tell her, 
if you please, that Aunt Wyeth is still with me. and we 
both wish she would visit P. this summer. With the 
younger members of my Uncle Phinney's family I do 
not feel much acquainted. For Susan I felt a stroma 

attachment in my girlhood days I hope you will 

excuse the familiar style in which I have written, also 
the many errors. The little folks have been dodging at 
both elbows. 

There was a constant interchange of visits and 
letters, during these years, between Elm Hill and New 
Ipswich, Jaffrey and Peterborough village, just as there 
had been in the previous generation between the families 
in Jaffrey, Ivcxington and Cambridge. Mrs. Smith's 
three girls were often at New Ipswich, and the oldest 
was heard to say not long before her death that the 
pleasantest recollections of her girlhood were of her 
visits at her Aunt Ainsworth's house. In the autumn 
of 1H49, Mary Mincjt Ainsworth, Mrs. Ainsworth's only 
daughter, married Theodore Phinney Cireene, U. S. N., 
grand.son of Benjamin Phinney of Lexington, and great 
was the joy thereat in all the families concerned; it was 
all the greater that the marriage did not take them away 
from their relatives, for Lieut. Greene's home was no 




MRS. MAkY M. GKttNt 



Susan Stearns Smith 147 

farther off than Brattleborough. "The young people 
are in a great hurry to be married," Mrs. Ainsworth 
wrote to Mrs. Smith some time before the wedding. 
"Can't you send them a loaf of your brown bread (with 
raisins in it) for a wedding cake, so they won't have to 
wait for us to make one?" 

Thither went Frances Smith in 1850-51, two suc- 
cessive years, six months each year, and was an inmate 
of Mrs. Greene's family while attending Mr. Addison 
Brown's school. In 1850, she was a shy, home-loving, 
untrained girl of fourteen, who, except for a short visit 
to Boston, the year before, had never been away from 
home. Like her mother she could write a good letter, 
and as her mother loved a letter so she loved a garden. 
She was a genuine country girl, to whom the first flower 
of the year, the first rose, the first strawberry, were 
events. As long as she remained at home there were 
flowers. She started a strawberry bed, which after she 
went away ceased to be cultivated. Her letters from 
Brattleboro, a package of which was preserved by her 
mother, are full of inquiries about the garden at home. 

FROM FRANCES SMITH 

Brattleboro, June, 1850. 
I have not been homesick yet, and do not think I 
shall be, I have so much to take up my time. I like my 

school very much Our teacher is very strict indeed. 

If we miss two questions in any recitation we have to 
learn the lesson all over again. It is so different from 
what I have been used to that it comes pretty hard. She 
gives us cards every week with all our perfect and 
imperfect lessons, conduct, etc., on them, and we have 
to carry them home to be signed. The street where I 
go to school is a very retired one ; it only goes up to the 



148 Susan Stearns Smith 



schoolhouse. There is a hi>ih hill on one side covered 
with woods. There are a preat many pleasant walks in 
the woods about here, and they are kept in order at the 
expense of the patients of the Water Cure ICstablishment, 

though they are free to all jjeople I have thought 

of those robins several times, and wondered whether the 
old cat did get them. I think it is too had, but I 
suppose the young ones are old enough to take care of 
themselves. How do the flowers get along? I suppose 
the seeds have all come up by this time. Peonies have 
been iu blossom here for some time. I saw some 
cinnamon roses out to-day, and I found several ripe 
strawberries yesterday. Do those dahlias grow any? 

POSTSCRIPT TO THIS LETTER BY MRS. GREENE 

Frances is a good girl. I only have to speak to her 
occasionally to walk more lightly, stand up straight, talk 
more, and such little things! I assure her that it is my 
part of her schooling; and that she must mind me. She 
will be glad of it sometime. 



FROM FRANCES SMITH 

Brattleboro, Oct. 12, 1851. 
Aunt Betty and I went down to the depot yesti-rday, 
and oh, I do wi.sh you could have seen a girl who was 
lliere! She had on a bloomer dress of steel colored silk 
which was some ways above her knees; the pantalettes 
were of the same, and stuck out like two bags full of 
meal. She had on a blue satin hat lined with yellow 
and trimmed with ribbon about quarter of a yard wide, 
hanging down to her waist. The strings were tied on 
one side with a bow and very long ends, and on the 
other side she had two large roses, one white and one 
blue. Two mourning breastpins, black milts and a 
black silk shawl folded like a mantle completed her 
toilette. 



Susan Stbarns Smith 149 



This was the era of "bloomers," the forerunner of 
the calisthenic suit, the bathing suit, the bicj'cle suit. 

FROM MRS. GREENE 

Summer — 1851. 
Dear Aunt, your notes are alwa5'-s welcome, though 
written in haste. I wonder you can write at all this 
weather. . . .Tell John he must get a box of Russia salve 
for his foot. When we were at the beach I sent to Fred 
for a life preserver, so that I might float in the surf, and 
he sent me a box of Russia salve, saying it would be 
just as eflScacious to keep me from drowning! What I 
am coming at is this:— that it has been really quite 
serviceable in curing a bruised finger for Aunt Betty and 
a burnt one for me. "No family should be without this 
valuable medicine." We were all very glad to see 
Frank. I felt as if my family were all together again 
when she arrived. I really dread the tune when she 
must go. 

Two years later Frances spent the month of February 
with Mrs. Elizabeth Hale Smith of Lee. 

FROM FRANCES SMITH 

Lee, Feb. 10, 1853. 
I thought I would not wait for you to answer my 
last letter, and so I have come out into the dining room, 
where I can write and not be disturbed. Mrs. Smith 
and I have just recited our lesson in Science of things 
familiar. It was about thunder and lightning. Mrs. 
Smith did not say her lesson as well as usual ; she has 
a bad headache though she said it was because she felt 
difiident about reciting before Bliss, who was Superintend- 
ing Committee. I made my debut in Lee last evening. 
Jane and I went to the reading circle. It met at Mr. 
Kendall's, about 1^ miles from here. We walked there 
and back, it was such rough riding. There were a good 
many people there, old and young. I do not think they 



20 



150 Susan Stkarns Smith 



are as pleasant as the reading classes used to be in 
Peterborough. They are loo stiff. A portiou of Scripture 
was read first, next a piece on Cowper with extracts from 
his poetry, then we had a recess of fifteen minutes to eat 
apples and talk ; and lastly letters were read from absent 

members by Jane Smith (corresponding secretary) 

I have explored the house from attic to cellar since I 
wrote you. One of the most convenient things about it 
is the number of closets. There are two or three in 
every room. They are stirring here pretty early in the 
morning. Mrs. Smith gets up long before light and 
makes all the fires herself, four in number. She was 
much surprised when I told lu r John made the fires at 
home. We went to Durham to church Sunday morning, 
3/4 miles. They spend the day here very much as we 

do at home The country around Lee is very level. 

There is no Monadnock. nor anything like it. One level 
field opposite the house belonging to the farm has 88 
acres in it. I believe there are a little more than 300 
acres in the whole farm. I wrote to Catherine Tuesday, 
I think she will get it todaj'. How does Susie get along 
reading "The wide wide world" out loud? Mrs. Smith 
says that as she did not send any love before, she sends 
a double portion this time. She asked me one day if my 
father took snuff, or used tobacco. I told her he did u^e 
tobacco. "What!" she exclaimed, "that good man!" 

FROM FKANCHS SMITH 

Lee, Ftb. 23, 1853. 
I received your letter Saturday. I think you will 
ha*'e to set the time for ray going away. When I spoke 
about it last week Mrs. Smith said, "Oh, you must not 
bej;in to think of g<jing to Cambridge yet!" Anna 
Cartland and I went tcj Dover Sat. P. M., and staid until 
Monday. We had the invitation from Miss Lydia Hale. 
Jane expected to go, but when Mrs. Hall found it out, 
she thought she nuist go to J"!xct«.r, aiul Jane hail to slay 
at home and take her place. We went to Mr. Will 



Susan Stearns Smith 151 

Hale's to tea, and in the eveninf^ to hear the Hutchin- 
sons sing. I was very glad of an opportunity of hearing 
them. There were three of them. The insane one 
would jump up between the songs and make such funny 
remarks. After the first song he requested the audience 
not to applaud. . . . "unless they felt like it." And when 
the concert was over he said "he hoped the audience 
would excuse them for singing so much." I went to 
the Episcopal church with Sarah in the morning, and to 
the Methodist with Mary Phinney in the afternoon. 
The Episcopalians have a very handsome church. The 
walls are painted in the inside. There are two pulpits. 
The minister reads in one and preaches in the other, and 
he reads in a white gown and preaches in a black one. 
Mary Phinney heard that the Hutchinsons would sing 
at the Methodist church, and we went there in the 
expectation of hearing them, but the church was crammed 
so full that we could not get a seat where we could see 
them, and the women sang so loud we could not tell 
whether they were there or not. They went away in 
the early train Monday morning, and were in the same 
car with us. It was amusing to see people stare at them. 
I did not have time to go to the Print Works, where 
Mary is employed. She spent Sunday evening with us 
at Miss Hale's. She said that her mother and sisters 
were living in lycxington village. Mrs. Swett is to be 
married in May and live in Burlington. Uncle Theo- 
dore's family are in Cuba. Anna Cartland spent last 
winter in Woburn, and became well acquainted with 
Mary, who lived therewith her sister, Mrs. Nelson, when 
she was going to the School of Design. I did not know 
before that she had a sister Mrs. Nelson. Mary 
made me a present of some calico of her designing. 
There are nine and a half yards. It is pink and white, 
and would make pretty dresses for Susie and Carrie. I 
send you two or three of her designs that Sarah Low 
gave me. I had a letter from Moses yesterday. He said 
he had heard from Kate that I was going to lyce, and 



152 Susan Stkarns Smith 

that the intellij^ence had jijiven rise to numerous conjec- 
tures; first, wliere on earth Lee was; and, second, what 
friend I had there, for he had never heard of any. It 
being Valentine's day Anna wrote part of my letter to 
him, and in his reply he said, "You cannot disj^uise the 
fact that cousin Mary Greene wrote jmrt of your letter to 
me, but how she had the opportunity of doing so I can 
not understand." 

Dr. Smith began to give autumn lectures at the 
Medical School of Dartmouth College in 1S48, and 
during the annual sojourn of his farail}' at Hanover, 
letters were exchanged regularly between Mrs. Smith 
and her sister. Frederick, Dr. Smith's only son, was 
graduated from the Medical College in 1855, spent 
a year in the Hospital at Blackwell's Island, New 
York City, married Frances Gregg in June, 1856, 
and in the autumn or late summer of the same 
year began the practice of medicine in Leominster, 
Mass., where his father had begun t\vent>'-five 
years before. During his student days he also wrote 
long letters to his Aunt Susan, and she carefully 
preserv^ed them. 

FROM MRS. FIDELIA SMITH 

Hanover, Oct. 25, 1853. 
We were all very glad to receive your letter with 
Frank's yesterday. Frederick "proclaimed them aloud 
in the audience of the people," and they were ]no- 
nonnced very good. Frances must not scold that her 
injunction not to let hers be seen was not heeded, for 
Katie did not have the first reading of it, and besides it 
was decided that she would one day write as good a 
letter as her mother. 



Susan Stearns Smith 153 

from frederick a. smith 

Dartmouth Coll., Oct. 8, 1854. 

Your graphic description of matters and things about 

the farm was very pleasant indeed. The harvest time, I 

have always thought, deserves all the halo of romance 

that hangs about it in poets' and novelists' descriptions 

Mr. Horace Greely writes about the farm very 

sensibly. He knows how strongly he appeals to the 
sympathies and hearts of his readers thereby ; and not to 
tlaeir hearts only, but to their heads, their understanding. 
I miss the Tribune when here very much. I do not like 
the political tone of the paper at all; it is every thing 
and nothing by turns but it is one thing constantlj^ ; it is 
always Greely. 

1856 brings this history within the recollection of the 
writer. 

In 1856 the custom of Thanksgiving dinners at Elm 
Hill and at Dr. Smith's in the village, in alternate years, 
had been long established, and the billet and parcel post 
between the two houses was also of long date. Never 
did a week pass, except, perhaps, in the ver>^ busiest 
season, without two or three expeditions to the village, 
and an expedition to the village always included a call at 
"Aunt Fidelia's." The billets were usually written in 
pencil on any scrap of paper that came to hand, and 
invariably contained an invitation to "come up to- 
morrow," or, "come down to-morrow." As for the 
parcels, enough of the billets remain to tell what their 
contents were. "Mother would like some eggs the last 
of next week." "Mother looked through the bundle of 
patchwork in vain for the sausage meat, and I looked, 
too, but could see nothing of it." "I hope 5^ou will 
continue to be of the opinion that 3-0U can let me have 



154 Susan Stearns Smith 



some boiled cick-r when I come home." "I send you a 
knot of yarn of some the Dr. had a present of for a pair 
of mittens." "I send you the last two letters from F" 

For letters were included in these exchanges in 

spite of the half suppressed protestations of some of the 
younger letter writers. 

Intercourse between Mrs. Smith and her sisters, and 
their Waltham and Lexington relatives, had now, with 
one exception, almost entirely ceased, and Mrs. Smith 
heard of them only indirectly, and at long intervals. 
Letters from the western relatives, with the exception of 
Mrs. William Smith, were few and far betvreen. But 
the two younger girls were beginning to help their 
mother about the family correspondence. They learned 
to write at school, but they learned to write letters by 
writing at her dictation, as she sat at her sewing, winter 
afternoons. She gave them their first best lessons in 
English composition, and she required each of the three 
younger ones to read aloud to her each day a chapter in 
the Bible. 

The youngest of Mrs. Smith's six children was now 
four years old, and the oldest was twenty; Frances 
taught school in Nelson six months this year, from May 
until the end of December, with a vacation of a few 
weeks in the middle of the summer, when they were all 
at home. 

Never again in the history of the farm were they all 
together for so long. 

The orphan cousins were no longer at Kim Hill, but, 
Henry, who was in Chicago, wrote occasionally to his 
cousin John. 



Susan Stearns Smith 155 

Last of all, the increasing strain of the political 
situation was making itself felt, even in this remote and 
quiet home. In the j'ears between 1852 and 1860, a 
book, a magazine and a newspaper found their way into 
it, which profoundly influenced the family life in many 
ways. The book was Uncle Tom's Cabin, the magazine 
was Harper's magazine, and the newspaper was the N. 
Y. Tribune. There was much disappointment at the 
defeat of Fremont. "How have you felt since the 
election?" wrote Mrs. Smith to her sister at Hanover. 
"Jocky has taken down his flag, but Jerry still sings as 
loud as ever, Down with Douglas, Pierce and Shannon, 
Down with slavery and Buchanan." 

There was more sickness in the family in the summer 
of 1856, than for many years previous. All the children 
had the measles; three of them were sick at one time. 
And the disease was followed at an interval of a few 
weeks by an attack of something closely resembling 
dysenterj^ which in the case of the three boys threatened 
to become serious. Mrs. Smith was afterwards heard to 
speak of the measles with horror. The time was soon 
to come when she had reason to be thankful her boys 
were well over them. 

One morning in June of this year, as the children 
w^ere on their way to school they met their cousin. Dr. 
Frederick Ainsworth, on his way to Elm Hill, who said 
to them, "Children, your Aunt Ainsworth is dead." 
When they went home that afternoon they found their 
mother, with a very sad face, pressing out crape for a 
mourning bonnet. A bereavement even more deeply 
felt was soon to come. One bitter Sunday morning in 
December two of the younger children had gone into the 



156 Susan Stearns Smith 



wood shed for some wood and their Uncle Albert drove 
in, got down from his carriajje and hitched his horse 
without a word. Missinj^: his usual cheery greetinj^ the 
older of the two spoke, and he answered, "I have trouble 
enough of my own, PVederick is dead." Scarcely old 
enough to understand the meaning of the words, but 
terrified at the tone in which thcv were spoken, the 
younger of the children ran into the hous- to call her 
mother. It was too true. The idolized only son, 
api^arently in perfect health, had gone in a moment 
twenty -four hours before. 

His funeral was three days later, in a blinding snow 
storm. The scene in the stricken household — the 
group about the sobbing mother, the resolute 
serenity of the father, the white faced and calm 
young widow, Fletcher Webster, tall, dark and sombre, 
and the wild storm without, made an impression on one 
of those present that has only deepened with time. 
"Kight weeks ago this morning, since the dreadful 
tidings," wrote his mother to her sister, "and what 
weeks of bitter sorrow they have been you cannot know, 
and God grant you never may. Every day I find myself 
treasuring up something that I shall tell him in my next 
letter; and then again I am anticipating what will be in 
his next letter. Oh, how shall we ever live without 
them? — But they will come never more. With one 
dreadful dash has the golden bowl been broken, and we 
have lost our pride, our hope and dependance. C'lud 
grant us submission and peace!" 

There was a strong friendship between Mrs. Smith 
and the widowed wife of her nephew, and for several 
years they corresponded. 



Susan Stearns Smith 157 



Billet from Mrs. F. A. Smith, written just before she 
left Peterborough : 

Jan. 1857. 

My thoughts are very sad, yet I do not mourn as one 
without hope. I feel that with the dear Departed it is 
well, and that I have a new and powerful motive for 
leading a holy life. I cannot think very clearly yet. I 
live from day to day, supported by the hand of Him who 
has promised us strength according to our day. 

Billet from Mrs. Susan Smith to her sister, written a 
few weeks later: 

I have been trying to write a billet to you for a 
good while, but don't feel as if I should be very fluent 
after washing. Tell Katie her coaxing billet has been 
considered, but if she should take a survey of the house 
she would say, "Frank, go home and help your Mother." 
However, under the circumstances, I am willing Frank 
should stay a day or two longer. I send her some patch- 
work. I should have cut it out but had not time I 

felt very sad at reading Fanny's last billet to me, and 
could not help wishing I had made more of an effort to 
come down before she went away. I hardly think she 
will think less constantly of the dear one whom we all 
mourn after leaving you than she did while with you. 

Billet from the same to the same, written a month 
later : 

And so you are going to Castleton. Well, I am both 
glad and sorry. I always feel a little safer when you 
and the Dr. are here than when you are away. I have 
been in almost daily expectation of having to call upon 
the Dr. for a week. I never saw children with such 
coughs and colds. I assure you we have had a barking 

time I have not written to Fanny yet. Indeed, I 

have not felt fit to do much of anything except what I 
was obliged to do this week, but while letters continue 

21 



158 Susan Stearns Smith 



to be such a source of comfort ami ])leasure to nie I must 

write some, however imperfectly it may be clone 

What do you think of Frances' takinj^ music lessons? 
I feel that the prospect is rather dark for her ever having 
any kind of an instrument to play on. 

Early in 1857, the oldest son went west and was gone 
a year. At first he was in the employ of Dr. Foster, but 
later he went to La Harpe, where he taught his first 
school. 

FROM MRS. F. A. SMITH 

March 13, 1857. 
You will be feeling the parting with John, so soon to 
come. It must be hard to give up a son to make his 
own way in a strange part of the world. But you have 
the satisfaction of knowing that he is thoroughly imbued 
with correct moral principles. 

This year Mr. Smith, yielding to the desire of the 
family, bought a Mason and Hamlin melodeon. He had 
little love of music himself. His flute had long since 
been put away and forgotten ; and like every good farmer 
he was always more ready to spend money on the farm 
than in the house. This gift of his, however, gave the 
children untold pleasure, for the older ones had picked 
up sufl&cient knowledge of music to profit by it. 

One afternoon in June the youngest daughter came 
home from school and was told by her mother to go up 
to the south chamber, that there was a lady there who 
wished to see her. She did as she was bid, and in 
answer to her knock the door was opened by a sweet 
faced, dark eyed woman whom she had never seen 
before, but who, so the child noticed with surprise, 
seemed to know all about her. It was Mrs. Reed, once 



rfy 



r- 



MkS LMILY WYKIH Kl-.KD 



Susan Stearns Smith 159 

Emily Wyeth, the "little Emily" of Chloe Stearns' letter 
of thirty -six years before, and she had come to spend the 
summer at Elm Hill. It would take long to tell of the 
happiness the two cousins had together, and of their 
endless talks of old times and old friends. Mrs. Reed 
was a favorite with Mr. Smith, and he was once heard 
to say that he never knew a woman who could talk so 
much and so well. Eater in the summer her husband 
and children came for a few weeks, and there was a very 
merry household. By the last of September they had all 
departed, and the family were alone once more. Two 
letters from Mrs. Reed written soon after her return show 
how severely the panic of 1857 was felt in Boston. 

FROM MRS. REED 

Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1857. 
The weather of the past ten days has been emphatic- 
ally dismal, and added to the sombre faces, disappointed 
prospects and crushed fortunes which surround us has 
seemed doubly gloomy. The entire community come in 
for a share of this fearful crash. Happily you are 
exempt, but you cannot fail to hear the sad forebodings, 
the sufferings of the poor and the increase of crime that 
must inevitably follow this calamity to the country. 

FROM THE SAME 

Cambridge, Nov. 24, 1857. 
If you have had any fears lest the eatables did not 
reach their destination, let me tell you that they were 
deposited on our kitchen floor last Monday evening at 
seven o'clock. They are all in good order, and all have 
been tasted except the dried apples, for the present of 
which I thank you again and again. I congratulate you 
upon the approaching close of the extra work that 
autumn brings with it. The "beef critter," I suppose, 



160 Susan Stearns Smith 

is yet on his trotters, also the grunters. Are the winter's 
supply of candles yet dipped? You see I am with you 

freciuently in thouj^ht Tell Jocky he must consider 

himself a most favored individual if he can earn a dollar 
a month this winter and j^et his money into the bargain. 
If he were in this region he could get neither employment 
nor money. The i^oor must suffer this winter. Kvcry 
measure will be taken to relieve absolute destitution, but 
to make the poorer classes anything like comfortable will 
be out of the question. Worse than all is the increase 
of crime; not a night but there are two or three burglaries 
in Cambridge. I don't know whether you would laugh 
or cry to witness the proceedings of our household 
every night before going to bed. Kvery room is 
explored, every lock re-tried, every window re-fastened, 

furniture placed where it may be stumbled over 

How often I think of you, going to bed with a feeling of 
perfect security with every door and window unbolted. 

How is the good, gentle Frances? Give her our 

love when you write. 

A calendar of indoor occupations at the farm would 
read something like this: — April, boiling soap and 
braiding rugs; May, house cleaning and gardening; 
June, July, August and September, butter and cheese 
making; September and October, drying apples; Octo- 
ber and November, boiling cider and making cider 
apple-sauce; December, dipping candles, trying out the 
year's supply of lard, and preparing sausage meat and 
pigs' feet; January 1st to December 31st, sewing and 
mending. Tlie leach -barrel stood in the shed, between 
the cheese-press and the ash pit. Throughout the year 
every scrap of grease and fat meat left over from the 
kitchen was carefully saved. A large barrel was filled 
with the ashes, and boiling water, rain water when 



Susan Stearns Smith 161 



procurable, was poured over them until lye enough was 
obtained, and the soap was made in the hog house or 
back kitchen. Mr. Smith and the boys were always 
called upon to put up the leach barrel, and the former 
was fond of telling the story of the very careful house- 
wife in Stoddard (a town to the north of Peterborough 
which for some reason was looked upon as so very 
remote that it was but an annex of the North Pole) who 
always required her husband to dig down to last year's 
snow because it made softer water and therefore better 
soap. There was no reason why it should have been so, 
but while the soap was boiling all the cast-off clothes of 
the family were brought out, ripped and cut into strips 
to be braided into rugs or woven into rag carpet. A rag 
carpet for the north rooom was one of the household 
achievements of this decade. It contained about twenty - 
seven square yards, and lasted until the farm was sold. 
It goes without saying that much soap was needed to 
keep the house clean, and that the annual spring 
cleaning of a large farm house, where there were no 
screens, was no light task. But the house and flower 
garden were usually in perfect order by the first of June. 
After her oldest daughter left home, Mrs. Smith could 
do little more to the latter than see that the beds were 
kept free from weeds, but she always took pains to start 
tomato plants in the house, so that there might be ripe 
tomatoes before the frost came. There was no cheese 
made at the farm after 1857. The milk was kept in a 
room called the milk cellar, opening off the farther end 
of the main cellar. The dairy utensils were of the most 
primitive kind. There were no shelves in this cellar. 
The pans of milk had to be lifted from the ground and 



162 Susan Stkarns Smith 



taken out into the main cellar to be skimmed, and the 
cream was brouj;ht upstairs to be churned, usually twice 
a week. The butter was put into a large wooden bowl, 
and worked over by Mr. Smith the next day. It may be 
said in passing that this bowl was brought from Waltham 
in 1810, and was supposed to be of great antiquity. It 
disappeared in 1873. 

The first apples were ripe the last of August. It is 
pleasant to pay a tribute to the apples of the Him Hill 
orchard,— the "sops of wines," the "seek no furthers," 
the "nonsuches;" the "ring sweets," the "fiat sweets," 
the "pumpkin sweets;" the "pippins," the "porters;" 
the "ramshorns," the "granny apples." the "mother 
apples;" the "south mowing apples" and the "lops," 
both very sour and juicy, and the latter, the favorite 
apple of Mr. Smith's brother, Jonathan; and 
last of all, the "golden pippin," the like of 
which for deliciousness, the writer has never tasted. 
There was only one tree on the farm, and that was in 
the pasture. The apple drying season was at its height 
the 6rst half of October. The whole family often 
gathered around the fire, in the evening, to pare and 
quarter the apples, and the younger girls had to string 
them the next day. They were never sorry when the 
season was over, for they liked dried apples as little as 
they liked stained and roughened fingers. The cider 
apple-sauce was made later, when it had grown so cold 
that all danger of fermentation was past. The cider was 
boiled in two brass kettles, so large that the big kitchen 
fireplace would hardly hold them bolli. When it was 
thick enough llu- ajiples were put into it and cooked. 
There was always a half barrel of it, and it lasted from 



Susan Stearns Smith 163 

December until May. The butchering was not usually 
done until after the annual removal of the kitchen stove 
to the dining room. Kerosene oil was unknown in the 
household before 1860, and the j^ear's supply of candles 
was made when the beef was killed, in the ancient and 
time -honored manner, by dipping wicks tied on rods in 
a kettle of warm tallow, and hanging them across two 
bars to harden. This, as well as the trying out of the 
lard, and the preparing of sausage meat and pigs' feet 
was always done by Mrs. Smith, but often she had the 
help of her boys, especially the oldest. Mr. Smith 
corned the beef and smoked the ham and bacon. There 
was no pump in the kitchen until after 1860. Before 
that, every drop of water had to be brought from the 
w^ell, a few steps from the kitchen door. 

The family sewing included knitting and for many 
years Mr. Smith and the sons wore stockings of home 
manufacture. The spinning wheel was not relegated to 
the garret until after the Civil War. 

The garret was at once lumber room, play room and 
study. In an angle formed by an old settle and that 
part of the wall to the right of the south window, the 
floor had been covered with some fragments of old 
carpets, and the wall and settle with an illustrated news- 
paper, a rarity and a wonder that kind cousin Henry 
had once brought home to the youngest of the Elm Hill 
children. On some shelves were arranged the few play- 
things the younger girls possessed, and this was their 
very own place, their "baby house;" and it was the 
scene of many a childish revel. Under the eaves behind 
the settle was a miscellaneous collection of old chairs. 
Farther on were some old beams and old bedsteads ; in 



164 Susan Stearns Smith 



the northwest corner, the old loom and an old table 
whose sloping sides suggested that it had once served as 
desk as well as table, and that possibly it was a relic of 
the law office that was once in the south chamber below. 
To the right and left of the north window were some old 
chests full of magazines and newspapers, and under the 
eaves on the east side were more old bedsteads. Behind 
the chimney was an old hair trunk containing several 
generations of straw bonnets. Finally, in the southeast 
corner were all the spinning wheels, reels, flax wheels, 
and other implements of flax culture, of the former 
generation. It was at the north window that John 
Steams made a study by hanging up some old bedquilts. 
This was when he was fitting for college and teaching in 
Pine Grove Academy, between 1858 and 1860. 

FROM WILLIAM PARKER AINSWORTH 

Nashua. July 8, 1857. 
Dear Aunt Susan: — I received an intimation some 
time ago, no matter from what quarter, that cousin 
Frances wished very much to attend school for a year, 
but that Uncle John did not feel able to bear the expense 
these hard times. Now. I have considered the matter, 
and should be very happy if you would accept from me 
the amount necessary to defray her expenses at such a 
school as she wishes to attend, and enable her to avail 
herself of all the advantages thereof You can con- 
sider the ixpense of the .scliool as coming from mother's 
money, for you know how she liked to help her friends, 
and it can go for no better purpose than the one offered 
above. 

The outcome of this letter was that Frances went to 

Mrs. Shennan's school, at Hanover, with her cousin 

Kate, for a year, from the autumn of 1857 to the eiul of 

June, 1858. 



Susan Stbarns Smith 165 



FROM MRS. F. A. SMITH 

^, Jersey City, Jan. 29, 1858. 

lUere are a great many fine galleries of paintings 
now open in New York. Among all these there are half a 
dozen which fill the soul. One of them is a picture repre- 
senting the morning gathering to hunt. The gray purple 
mist IS slowly rising from the ground. In front is an 
animated group of men, horses and impatient hounds, 
the horses looking alive and full of spirit, standing out 
from the canvas. In the distance in the grey mist, and 
emerging into the light of the foreground, are more 
huntsmen;— it is wonderful. But one of the finest 
paintings in New York is in the conception of the Virgin 
an original by Murillo. It was painted in 1620, and had 
belonged to the King of Holland. He died very deeply 
in debt, and his son, the present king, sold some of his 
effects. The picture was bought by Mr. Aspinwall, and 
is exhibited for the gratification of the public and the 

good of the poor But you will think I am picture 

crazy, — as indeed I am, almost. 

FROM THE SAMR 

_^ , , ^ Jersey City, Nov. 18, 1858. 

It would be altogether agreeable to me to spend an 
evening with you and your finished daughter. Are you 
not glad to have her home again? I have thought of 
you a great deal this summer, and have very sincerely 
sympathized with you in the many cares and toils which 
must have been yours. I have many a time wished I 
could lighten your labors by at least darning the stock- 
ings, and keeping a strict watch upon tapes, buttons, 
and other insecure and faithless articles of property. But 
for all this you have not been one whit the better, which 
shows the superiority of material aid to the unbounded 
exercise of the finer feelings. 

Frances went to Chicago, in March, 1859. She soon 
obtained a position in the public schools, and from that 



22 



166 Susan Stearns Smith 



time was never at home except in her summer vacations. 
For many years her weekly letter, written Sunday and 
received Thursday, was one of the events at Elm Hill, 
looked forwanl to l)y both her mother and her sisters. 
She was greatly missed in the home, especially by her 
mother. But it had to be. There was not enough for 
all, and the two younger girls were fast growing up; and 
Mrs. Smith was ambitious for her children, and would 
make any sacrifice that was for their advantage. 

There was little outward change at the farm between 
1858 and 1860. Mrs. Smith grew more and more subject 
to severe nervous headaches. Her hands had become 
shapeless, callou.sed and swollen at the joints with 
unremitting toil, and the eczema which had fastened 
itself upon them was a continual source of irritation and 
discomfort. It was aggravated ten fold by the fact that 
her hands were so much in water. But her courage 
and cheerfulness never deserted her for long. Hers was 
not a brooding nature. She had none of the inwardness 
and melancholy so characteristic of some members of her 
husband's family. 

Her working day was a long one. Breakfast was at 
a reasonable time in the winter, and the boys kindled 
the fires. But from May until November it was at seven 
o'clock, and this meant that she nuist be up and dressed 
by five. As soon as the fire was made, she must go to 
the cellar to skim the milk; this done, she nuist get the 
breakfast for a large family, and by the time it was ready 
she was very apt to have a headache, niui tliat maile a 
cup of strong tea a necessity. She drank strong tra 
three times a day, the last twenty years of her life, and 
partly for this reason never slept more than ioni or fi»e 



Susan Stearns Smith 167 



hours a night. After breakfast the work varied accord- 
ing to the day of the week. Like all good New England 
housekeepers she planned to "do up the work" in the 
forenoon, but it was not always possible. Washing and 
ironing and baking for a family of from eight to twelve 
persons could not always be got out of the way before 
twelve o'clock. She took a rest of an hour after dinner, 
and then it was sewing and mending for the rest of the 
day, and often until ten or eleven o'clock at night. But 
with all this she was a working member of the church 
and of the ladies' society spoken of in one of her earliest 
letters, and for many years she taught in the Sunday 
School. She managed not to fall behind the rest of the 
world in her knowledge of the current literature. Her 
girls read aloud to her Irving' s Washington, and the Life 
of Charlotte Bronte by Mrs. Gaskell, which she read 
herself, gave her keen pleasure. 

The oldest son returned from the West in 1858, and 
between that time and the breaking out of the Civil War, 
taught school and fitted himself for college. In the 
autumn of 1860, it was the turn of the second son, then 
seventeen years years old, to start for himself. He went 
to Orford, N. H., to teach school. The family consisted, 
in the winter of 1860-61, of seven persons, father, 
mother, three younger children, Mrs. Runnells, and 
Emily Hubbard, niece of Mrs. Jonathan Smith of Bath 
and of Miss Martha Payson, between whom and Mrs. 
Smith there was a friendship of long date. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH, AT ORFORD 

Dec. 6, 1860. 
We were all very glad to receive your letter yesterday, 
and to know that you were well. I was especially glad 



168 Susan Stearns Smith 



that you had confidence to sustain you throug^h the 

"a>jony" of a lonj;, if not critical examination. And 

now having make a good beginning I hope you will have 

wisdom, courage, perseverance and good health to carry 

on your winter's work. Hut remember we have no right 

to true and entire success in any undertaking in which 

we rely solely on our own efforts. It is God who gives 

us our ability to do, and for the right performance of 

every duty we must look to him for aid and direction ; 

and I would now earnestly ask you to remember this 

important fact in all that you may plan to do or to be in the 

future. We were interested in all the particulars of your 

letter; and that you were called "Mr. Smith" and treated 

in so princely a manner made your father and me laugh 

outright. You must not indulge too freely in the good 

things to eat, though with a good deal of exercise in the 

open air and of hard work in the school room, I don't 

know that you will be in much danger on that score. It 

is safer to eat too little than too much, but to one in 

active employment the calls of the stomach are a safe 

guide, — I have more confidence in the demands of the 

stomach, in adults at least, than I used to have. And 

now you see, don't you? that not withstanding you are 

"Mr. Smith," and partially under the eye, training and 

companionship of your good cousin, the minister, your 

mother cannot give up her privilege of advising and 

directing you, just as in former times. Well, I hope you 

will receive her advice kindly, and follow it as far as 

your conscience and judgment dictate. Aunt R. says, 

"Tell Jocky I wish ver>' much he would caution Cousin 

Moses about going out on the Conn. River to skate." 

I hardly think you will skate there unless the ice has 

bet-n ])ronounced safe by those in authority. Your 

having taken your skates with you makes me feel a little 

solicitude on this point. I cannot omit telling you 

how much you are missed at home. At the sound of 

ai»proarhiiig footstejjs I forget how far away you are, 

and looking up to see you discover my mistake. I miss 



Susan Stearns Smith 159 



you as my gallant to and from the village when your 
father is too tired, too busy or too lazy to take me- but 
to hear often from you, to know that you are getting 
on smoothly, doing good and in good health, will com- 
pensate for all the inconveniences and disappointments 
your absence will occasion. Your father has a busy day 
to get his round of chores done. He will have more 
wnT^^^^ ^^^ butchering is done. The beef was 
killed Thursday, very good beef, too. It is sometimes 
past nine when the milk is brought in, but your father 
says when it comes late there is more of it. 

TO THE SAME 

^,. . .,, March, 1861. 

1 his is neither a very cold nor a very stormy Sunday 
yet none of us go to church. Most of us have bad colds 
Your father has been a good deal troubled with rheuma- 
tism for a week, but is better; still, in consideration of 
the slow, heavy traveling, he did not think it advisable 
to go to meeting Susie is a little disappointed, and 
i,mmie indignant! I recommended them to read the 
Bible, and make a right improvement of their time at 
home, and told them it was sometimes as much a relig- 
ious duty to stay at home as to go to church, and always 
a religious duty to give up our own wills and wishes 
cheerfully when required. Submission is the first great 
law of our being, and without it neither religion nor 
virtue will flourish in our hearts. Now, Jocky, do not 
suppose I would have one go against convictions of 
duty, far from it. I only mean that we must often 
relinquish our own wishes where it does not involve any 

principle of wrong I have thought very often of you 

the past week, supposing you were still at Mr L 's but 
It seems you have only called there and did not stay 'long 
at that. It seems to me I should rather board elsewhere 
than go where there was such an evil prejudice against 
me, however, I do not advise. I only say that in case 
you should board there, treat them with all the kindness 



170 Susan Stharns Smith 



and courtesy in your power. I have felt a jjood deal of 
Solicitude on your account, feariuj^j that llu* toils and 
vexations of teachinj^ would prove too uuich for your 
inexperience and your patience ... I think your frither finds 
it pretty hard to ^et alonj; without any one to do a chore 
at the barn but himself, but he makes no com])laint. 
The summer wood is drawn, but not the hard wood. I 
fear we shall run short of dry wood, or, rather, I fear 
the deep snows may not ro off before an addition to our 
winter fuel will be needed. The snow is three and a 
half feet deep in the woods, which is bad for choppers 

and ilrawers as well as those dcpendinj.; ou them We 

had a little com{)any of neij^hbors last Tuesilay evening^. 
All inquired for Jocky, and manifested an interest in his 

welfare I fear you will call this a stupid letter. I 

have not felt very well for a few days, and my hands are 
prodij^iously sore. 

Jonathan went into a printing office in Keene imme- 
diately after the close of this school. He was far from 
robust, and before very long began to suffer severely 
from inflammation of the eyes. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT KKKNE 

April, 1861. 
I felt ver>' sorr>' on reading your letter, received last 
night, to find you had l)een suffering so long from your 
eyes. I have felt a good deal of anxiety about you, 
though less than I should, i)erha])S, had 1 not been so 
unwell myself. I have thought you had better come 
home and stay until your eyes are belter, but your father 
says if you are not otherwise unwell, and can do any- 
thing in the ofhce, it would not be worth while; but I 
fear you will not have the consideration and care your 
situation reipiires. How do you feel about it? It is 
very impijrliiiit that you shouKl be extremely careful of 
your eyes, for at your age there is danger of the inllam- 



Susan Stearns Smith 171 

mation terminating in some chronic difficulty which will 
not be easily cured. You must not use them, nor 
expose them to a strong light or air, and you must be 

very careful of your diet I hope j^ou will not be 

discouraged, but patiently wait and beai with the hope 
of soon feeling better. It is sometimes necessary for 
us to suffer that we may realize our weakness and 
dependence, and learn to place our hope and realiance 

on Him who bestows all our blessings The situation 

of our country is truly sad and alarming, and every true 

patriot and Christian can but tremble for her safety 

You probably have the daily news from Baltimore and 
Washington. 

FROM REV. CHARLES ROBINSON 

Groton, Mass., Apr. 13, 1861. 
I have been thinking a great deal, of late, of Peter- 
borough, and of my life and labors and experiences 
there, and of the many estimable people with whom it 
was my privilege to be connected, and the result of my 
cogitations has been a letter to Dr. Smith and so much 
of a one to you. I write now, not merely to express the 
undiminished interest I feel in yourself and family, but 
to draw from you, if I can, something in the way of a 
reply, — something about your husband, your children, 
your neighbors, your society, your young minister. I 
hope he proves to you all that you anticipated. Often 
in my hours of reverie I look in upon you, see your 
faces, hear your voices, and almost fancy that I can hold 
a conversation with the Deacon about politics. By the 
way, into what a terrible state have we fallen in our 
national affairs. Tell the Deacon to take down his fire- 
lock, screw it up, and be ready to listen to the clarion 
peal of Whittier: — 

Oh, for God and duty stand. 
Heart to heart, and hand to hand, 
And let the North unto the South 
Speak a word befitting both. 



172 Susan Stkarns Smitu 



If secession had but one head I could. I think, cut it off 
with as much relish as Nero said he could that of the 
Ri)nian people. 

The day after the reception of this letter, the news 
of the fall of Sumter and the President's proclamation 
burst upon the town, like a clap of thunder. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT KEENE 

May 19, 1861. 

We had for some time been making inquiries among 

ourselves as to the reason of your silence. I was afraid 

your eyes were so bad as to prevent your writing. I 

was glad they were no worse, sorry they were no better 

John came home Friday noon. He says Cousin 

Moses is pretty well, and will probably bring Hai'crhill 
down to Orjord next month. Henry Farnsworth has 

been working for your father this week I dont see 

what your father will do unless John stays at home 
during the summer. He says I may tell you the spring 
work goes very slow. The weather has been very cold 
and backward; the leaves are just starting. He has 
sown the wheat, barley and oats, but has not i)lanted 
any yet. He will be at the village a part of this week as 
commissioner to examine witnesses in a slander case in 
New York, one of the parties, named Hrockway having 

lived in this town four or five years ago You do 

not speak of having attended the Sabbath School in 
Keene. I hope, however, that you do. I ho])e that 

you do not neglect to read your Bible every day 

Write as often as your eyes permit. 

Two of the guests at Elm Hill, this summer, were 
Mrs. Smith's nephew, Rev. Moses Thurston Runnells, 
and his bride (formerly Miss Haker of Haverhill). Later 
in the season, Mrs. Runnells went to live with her son 
at Orford. Frances spent her vacation, of eight weeks, 



Susan Stearns Smith 173 



at home, John was at home most of the summer, and 
Jonathan for a short time in July. It was the last time 
the six children were all at home together. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT KEENK 

July (6), 1861. 
I was sorry you did not come home to help us 
celebrate the Fourth. Mr. Morison's speech was worth 
going a long way to hear. John did himself a good deal 
of credit, too. Your father was quite taken by surprise, 
and said, "John did very well." Cousin Moses and 
wife came last Friday. They would be very glad, they 
say, to see you. Fanny is very anxious to see all her 
new cousins. Moses preached for Mr. Dustan last 
Sunday. 



A little more than two weeks later there was a scene 
at Elm Hill which, without doubt, was duplicated in 
many another household throughout New England. It 
was Tuesday, the twenty -third of July, a bright, beautiful 
day in hay time. Mr. Smith had come up from the hay 
field and all the family (except the boys) were in the 
north room, when news was brought by a neighbor 
returning from the village, of the first battle of Bull Run. 
The confused and conflicting first accounts agreed in 
this, that our army had suffered a disastrous defeat, and 
that Washington itself was in great danger. It was 
listened to in silence with a feeling of consternation it 
would be diflScuIt to describe. Frances was the first to 
recover herself. "I don't believe it," she said, "it can't 
be true. Father, won't you let Carrie and me ride down 
to the village after dinner and get the latest news?" 

23 



174 SrsAN Stkarns Smith 



TO JONATHAN SMITH AT KKKNK 

Sept. 5. 1861. 
T have been to the Sewing Circle this afternoon, 
where there lias been a great knitting for the soldiers. 
At the P. O. I found a letter from Jt)hn in which he tells 
me he has just received one from you. I am sorry to 
hear your general health is not good and that your eyes 
are no better. I hoped the last medicine you tried 
would help them. I hope you will use them as little as 
possible and be very careful of your diet. I fear your 
food is not of the mo.st suitable kind. Vegetables and 
ripe fruit are much better for you than meat and pastries. 
Be careful, too, to avoid expixsure and any unusual 

fatigue Your father is at Amherst this week on the 

Grand Jury (if that is the correct expression) . He thought 
he should be at home Friday or Saturday. We are rather 
lonesome, as Carrie and Susie are at school and Emmie 
there and elsewhere. 

TO THE SAME 

Oct. 8, 1861. 
I did not write to you by John because I had not time 
after I knew of his going. I have been urging your 
father to write to you, but he does not seem inclined to 
do so. The reason is, I think, that he does not like to 
actually forbid your going to the war, yet feels very 
unwilling that you should do so. Aside from the 
exposure of a winter's campaign I should rather you 
would go (if you must needs go) in the 6ih N. H. than 
to defer it until spring. It would be pretty hard for me 
to give my consent; nevertheless, in a case like the 
present, where every thing we hold most dear on earth 
is at stake, I could do it and bid you God speed. I say 
I could do it; but then the question comes up, Is it for 
the best? This is a case in which I think your hither's 
judunient is better than mine, and that on which you 
should most rely. I told your father this morning I 
should not nuich blame you for taking your own way if 



Susan Stearns Smith 175 



he did not write and advise you, but he said you knew 

^'s mind Now, Jocky, if you cannot give up going 

to the war I think you had better write to your father'^ 
and then he will be constrained to give you his mind in 
black and white. Surely these are solemn times. I felt 
It most deeply when I heard Mr. Dustan's address to the 
soldiers last Sabbath. And those who cannot go to the 
battle must exert their best influence for the cause at 
home, and pray God to speed the right. 

Two of Mrs. Smith's nephews had already joined the 
army. Josiah Smith, third son of her sister Margaret, 
had enlisted in the 8th N. H. V., and William Ains- 
worth, Mrs. Greene's younger brother, had a captain's 
commission in the Rhode Island Cavalry. John had 
been at home most of the summer, and since the battle 
of Bull Run the question of enlisting had rested heavily 
upon him. By October, patriotism and the sense of duty 
had carried the day over interest, and he was enrolled in 
the 6th N. H. V., the 14th of the month. His enlistment 
was followed by Jonathan's, November 1st, in the same 
regiment. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT KEENE 

Oct. 31, 1861. 
I hope you have weighed the matter of enlisting so 
that you will feel no regrets afterward. It has been very 
hard for your father and me to give our consent. I 
respect and admire your spirit of patriotism ; and if you 
must go, my boys, John and Jonathan both, may God 
bless and preserve you, give success to the cause, and 
take care of your father and me ! I can only charge you 
to keep ever alive in your breasts the religious instruc- 
tion, moral courage and principle it has been our endeavor 

to instil into your minds from early childhood I 

wish you to send me word as soon as you can whether 



176 Susan Stearns Smith 

you are to have a blanket provided for you before going 
into camp. I will see that you have a cap and needle- 
book. Vour stockings I must have to repair as soon as 
you can send them. Do not forget the Testaments, tell 
John, and tell hira also to help you about buying yuur 
flannels. Last of all, you must have your miniature 
taken for me before you go. 

The two younger girls lost nearly half their term at 
Pine Grove Academy. One afternoon, toward the last 
of October, a telegram was brought to the principal (S. 
B. Partridge, called familiarly by his pupils. Sunbeam 
Partridge), and as he took it, one of his pupils, who 
happened to be standing near, noticed that he changed 
color. The next morning at 9 o'clock, he addressed the 
school, saying that duty called him elsewhere and he had 
accepted a commission in a regiment about to depart for 
the seat of war, and they were therefore dismissed for 
the rest of the term. 

Like his cousin, John, William Ainsworth had joined 
the array with reluctance, but his reluctance sprang from 
a different cause. He abhorred war. "If I do fight," 
he said to his Aunt, "it will be with the courage of 
desperation." During bis last visit at IClm Hill some- 
time in December, he was suffering from great depression 
of spirits, and was never seen to sinile. He seemed to 
have a presentiment of his early death. To the younger 
children, hovering in the backgrouinl, it was terrifying 
to sec Cousin William, who had always been to them 
the ver>' personification of cheerfulness and fun, so sad 
and silent, and one of them, at least, never forgot it. 

The terrible sl<jrm that swept the eastern coast of tie 
U. S., from the 10th to the Hth of Jaiuiary, 1862, is still 




CAKI. WM HAKKbK AINSJWOKTH 



Susan Stearns Smith 177 

remembered. "My thoughts are wandering after the 
Burnside Expedition," wrote Mrs. Smith, to her sister, 
while it was raging. She was mercifully spared the 
knowledge that the 6th N. H. V. was on board the 
unseaworthy Louisiana, and that, perhaps at the very 
time of her writing, they were expecting to go to the 
bottom every moment. She knew that her sons were 
safe from the measles which broke out in the Regiment 
while it was in Maryland but she did not know the 
unhealthful situation of their camp after they landed in 
North Carolina. Jonathan could not resist the latter 
and although he had at first been greatly benefited in 
health by the outdoor life, he soon fell ill of typhoid 
fever, and was in the Hospital at the time of the first 
engagement in which the regiment participated, the 
battle of Camden. 

Gradually the long winter and spring wore away, but 
with the summer the war clouds only deepened. June 
had hardly begun when Mrs. Smith was summoned to 
Nashua to the funeral of Capt. Ainsworth, who had 
fallen at Front Royal, Va., May 30th. The only sister 
could not be there. Capt. Greene was stationed at Mare 
Island off the coast of California, and she was with her 
husband. It was a very quiet summer at the farm. 
Mrs. Reed came again and remained until late in the 
autumn. The two younger girls began to go to the 
Academy again the last of August. The air was full of 
fighting and rumors of fighting. One afternoon Susie 
came into school with a very pale face and whispered to 
Carrie that "John and Marshall Ames were in the list of 
killed and wounded." Not until the next afternoon 
was it known that both were alive and not severely 



178 Susan Stearns Smith 

wounded. After the battle of Chaiitilly illness forced 
Jouathan again into the Hospital, and it was soon seen 
that there was little chance of his restoration to health 
unless he came home. 

To JONATHAN SMITH IN TUB HOSPIT.\L AT B.VLTI.MORE 

October, 1862. 
I hoped we should receive a letter from j'ou last 
week, and I had also a faint hope that we migiit see 
you, but Saturday ni<:;ht came, and with it the disap- 
pointment of our joint hopes. I don't know just how 
you will feel in regard to our interference for your 
coming home. I cannot feel reconciled to your remain- 
ing longer in the Hospital and comparativelj' so near, 
without trying to have you released, especially' as you 
do not improve. Your father thought I had better write 

to Mrs. M asking her husband to apply to the 

surgeon for your discharge, for we think you will be 
much more likely to recover here than there. I think 
you will be glad to come home for a while at least, and 
I am sure we shall all be glad to see you, however much 

we may regret the cause of j'our coming We had 

a letter from John a few days ago in which he describes 
the strategy he had to use to get away from the 
Hospital. What is the distance of Pleasant Valley from 

Baltimore? Emma Reed left last Tuesday, Mrs. 

Reed stays until the first of November. 

Jonathan came home soon after this letter was 
written, and remained at home almost two years. Thus 
ended the year 1862. 

At one time in the summer of 1863, the household at 
IClm Hill numbered twelve persons. Mrs. Smith was 
far from well. The toil and bustle and confusion of so 
large a family, together with her constant anxiety for 
her oldest son, caused her, at last, such serious indisi)o- 



Susan Stearns Smith 179 

sition that during the next three years there were few 
summer guests. John was at home, on leave of absence, 
in the summer of 1863 and again in the summer of 1864. 
It was in February of this latter year that he, then 
adjutant of his regiment, sent home his colored boy, 
George H, Wiggins. Wiggins, as he was usually called, 
remained at the farm five years. It was in June of this 
year, also, that gay, sweet-tempered, warm-hearted, 
rash, heedless Josiah Smith, who had neither fear nor 
rancor in his composition, met his death under the walls 
of the redoubt at Port Hudson. There are few of the 
Elm Hill cousins remembered with greater affection than 
he. After his enlistment, he was asked if he knew how 
to cook. "Of course I know how to cook," said he. 
"Wasn't I brought up in my Aunt Fidelia's kitchen, 
and isn't she the best cook in town?" He was made 
cook of his company forthwith. "At first," he confided 
in one of his aunts, "I used to put salt and pepper in the 
soup and taste it, and then a little more salt and pepper 
and taste it; but now I throw in a handful of salt and 
pepper, and if I don't hear many bad words I conclude 
that it is about right." Frances spent her summer 
vacation, of 1864, at home. She went back to Chicago 
the last week in August. It had been hoped that she 
would remain at home, and she herself had had some 
intention of doing so. In September, the long friend- 
ship between Mrs. Smith and her cousin, Mrs. Reed, 
came to its earthly termination. Mrs. Reed died in 
Boston, at the home of Mrs. Blanchard. 

Jonathan, now restored to health, re-enlisted in the 
cavalry in August, 1864. His regiment was ordered to 
Washington. But by the new year there began to be 
signs that the end of the war was at hand. 



180 Susan Stearns Smith 

to joun stearns smith 

Feb. 16, 1865. 
Your g^ood long letter was received Wednesday. Dr. 
Tubbs told me in an undertone Fridaj' that the N. H. 
soldiers were cominjj home to vote. There are many 
and formidable reason.s why I hope you will then leave 
the service; there are some, too, wiiy we might wish 
you to reniain. The end of the war still bangs on an 
uncertain thread, but I seem to feel that you have risked 
and endured to the full all that duty and patrioti-m 
require of you. I told Mr. Cheney I thought you were 
rather disgusted with the way the N. H. regiments have 
been managed; he said you were not the only one. 
Your father and I went to a party at Mr. Cheney's last 
Friday evening. There were a great many present and 
the entertainment was quite magnificent. Mrs. Cheney 
was ver>' gracious, Mr. Cheney kind and agreeable as 
usual. Dr. Tubbs gave me a particular account of his 
visit to the army, especially of the time he spent with 
you and Dr. Ainsworth. He said it was a great satis- 
faction to them all, and the visit of their lives that they 

would never forget George Morison spent Thursday 

evening here. He is very sensible and social. The 
subject of his lecture before the Association was Waterloo. 
The children said it was very interesting. There is so 
much going on here ihis winter that if one gets into the 
popular current one has no time to look after one's own 
affairs. The Lyceum Association, the Singing School, 
the Dancing School, the levees and donation parties have 
occupied nearly every evening for a month. To-morrow 
evening there is to be a donation party at Mr. Ferry's. 
Since there is to be one I hope it will be a success, but I 
rather think your father and I will not go. Itverybody's 
jjurse is drained by reason of the above mentioned 
gatherings, not to speak of various subscription papers 
for worthy objects. 



Susan Stearns Smith 181 

to the same 

July 16, 1865. 
We have been looking for several days with some 
solicitude for a letter from you, but were not quite 
prepared for one of your dictation which came to hand 
last evening. I am all the time hoping you are much 
better, but cannot ward off anxiety until I hear that you 
are so. The mother who has watched her boys through 
three years of the war would have habits of anxiety 
pretty well fixed if they were not so before. The 1st N. 
H. Cavalry are expected home very soon, Jonathan 

being as near as Alexandria Your father is getting 

along very moderately with the haying, having no help 
but Jerry and Wiggins. He says the latter does very 
well, but cannot learn to whet his scythe. 

TO THE SAME 

No date. 

Your long looked for letter has come at last, and I 
need not tell you how glad I was to know how and where 
you were. I was glad, too, to hear you had succeeded 
in your object. I hope the old homestead will be able 
to take care of itself a while longer. Your father says 
he shall send to the War Department to have you 
stationed at Elm Hill until after haying. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

August, 1865. 
Your last long looked for and very welcome letter, 
was received Aug. 4th. We thought you could hardly 
be able to move with the regiment, and if detained on 
that account would certainly write if you felt able, and 
so you see how glad we were to hear. When Jonathan 
wrote a week ago your father was quite sick. He is 
much better now, and has been to church to-day. The 
last two loads of hay were brought in from the meadow 
Thursday. Jona. took charge of affairs there the first 
three days, as 3'our father was not able to go. Thursday 

24 



1S2 SrsAN Stearns Smith 



he aiul Susie wc-iit to the mountain in a party made up 
mostly of returned cavalry hoys. Friday we all visited 
at Mr. Horace Morison's. The other vruests were Uncle 
Albert's family, Miss Susie Sherman and Miss Julia 
Moore. Mary Morison has entirely recovered her health 
through the use of mesmerism. There is certainly 
something^ wonderful in the effect of electricity on certain 
diseases and certain constitutions. Miss Moore, it is 
said, is going to be married. 

Aug. 12. 
We have had company two or three times within a 
fortnight, which is more of an undertaking than it used 
to be. Tuesday. Mr. Jolin Field and family, I'ncle and 
Kate, and Aunt lillen, who had been in town a week or 
more, spent the afternoon and took tea. The nt ighbors 
at the foot of the hill were invited, l)ut could not come, 
but Mr. and Mrs. Gowing came. They all seemed to 
have a pleasant time. Yesterday Mr. Horace Morison's 
family with Ernest and Robert from Bleak house, and 
your cousin Sidnej' Smith, were here to tea. Wiggins 
waited on the table and went through the performance in 
great style! He seemed as glad to do it as I was to 
have him. He has offered his services before, and being 
driven into the house by a shower. I thought I would let 

him try it You will recollect a Mr. Moore of 

Michigan, a cousin of the Morisons, who was wounded 
at the first battle of Bull Run, and was four years in the 

sen'ice. He came with his cousins Mr. John 

Little's family are in deep aflliction. In the past week 
they have followed to the grave both Clara and Lucinda. 
John Little has. it is said, marked symptoms of the 
disease of which his sisters died (consumption). He 
was very kind U) them, and did all he could for their 
comfort. How often docs that hymn of Watts' which I 
learned when a child, come into my mind, 

How short ami hasty is our life, 
H(jw vast our soul's affairs. 



Susan Stearns Smith 183 



There is much more sickness than usual this season, 

and there are several cases of dysentery We have 

several applications to take boarders, but have not 
accepted any yet. 

In the summer of 1865 some of the Ivcxington and 
Cambridge cousins visited Elm Hill, and in September, 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith returned their visit. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

Sept. 24, 1865. 
We were glad enough to get your letter, and to know 

you were so much better Frank Morison took tea 

here yesterday (accidentally) ; he asked if Hancock's 
Corps was not going to be consolidated with the regular 
army. I told him what you said about its being mustered 

out this fall, and he did not appear to believe it I 

have a great deal to do, but have been pretty well until 
within a few days. My ails have apparently all centred 
ill my hands. They are a sight to behold; they are 
literally and truly a thorn in the flesh. If they are not 
better soon I shall not feel much like going from home; 
for we think of starting for the Hub in a few daj^s. Mr. 
Wyeth and Mr. Hastings urged the matter so hard when 

they were here that your father had to yield Frances 

said you looked very thin when you were in Chicago, 
and I thought you must be almost a shadow after the 
relapse you had. I hope we are all thankful for past 
mercies, and try to make a salutary use of our disap- 
pointments and trials. 

TO THE SAME 

Oct. 22, 1865. 
I am desirous to see the article in the Christian 
Examiner to which you referred in your last letter. I 
do not know of anyone here who takes that publication. 
The subject is one on which I have spent a good deal of 
thought. I was educated in the straightest Calvinism of 



184 Sl'san Stearns Smith 

forty years ago, and although my views have undergone 
a great change, I cannot by any means conform to the 
radical opinions ol many who style themselves Unitarians 
at the present day, for I think they are drifting away 
from the standard of all truth and theology, that is, the 
Bible. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

May 27, 1866. 
It is a rainj' Sunday, and no one goes to church, 
David Crockett being so much indisposed that it was 
deemed unadvisable to take him out. He will not be as 
tough as old Fannj'. A long soaking rain is what we 
have not had for a twelvemonth, and the prospect is that 
now we shall have it. Your father is planting rather 
more than usual this spring. He took a bad cold on his 
lungs yesterda}' by working with his coat off, it being 

the only warm day we have had for two weeks I 

have sent you the Transcripts. Have you received 
them? The Inquirers have been very interesting. The 
Unitarians are doing in other ways what the Orthodox 
are doing by revivals for the spread of their faith, and 
the latter acknowledge that the age is tending toward 
liberal views and sentiments in Christianity. I hope 
there will be a good proportion of the leaven of holy fire 
mixed with the liberal views and sentiments, otherwise 
it will tend to infidelity. Church membership has not 
been looked upon as it should be by our denomination, 
especially by the young men, and it is not to our credit, 
I think, that so beautiful and simple a rite should be so 

much neglected About the colored woman, — I knew 

I should not have your father's a])probation in sending 
for one, therefore felt too timid to decide about it until 
Frank came home. If she stays at home, which I 
somrwhat doubt, I thought Susie and Carrie could have 
an opportunity to go and do in some way as she has 
done, which privilege, I think they should have. I do 
not think she will be willing to take their place at home, 
but think some arrangement could be made by which a 



Susan Stearns Smith 185 



woman could be paid without ruining the farm, the fear 
of which always blends with your father's idea of hiring 
help in the house. 

The problem of the years immediately following the 
Civil War was the launching of the younger daughters. 
Here were two girls with their own living to earn 
growing up far from normal schools or training schools 
of any sort, and there was absolutely no money to send 
them away to school. "There was plenty of everything 
at your house except money," one who was a frequent 
inmate of it during these years, said not long ago to the 
writer. It is a little difficult in these days of varied 
opportunities for women to understand how serious the 
problem was, and how much anxious thought it gave 
every mother of daughters in New England. The days 
when women could pay for farms of four hundred acres 
and send their sons through college with linen and butter 
made by their own hands had long passed away. The 
spinning wheel and loom had gone never to return, and 
the factory and workshop of 1865 were repugnant to the 
descendants of those who had worked them to such 
advantage and profit in 1780. Mrs. Smith could not 
bear to have her girls go down in the world. There are 
few mothers who will not sympathize with her. 

It was, in fact, a time of transition. "Society, like 
a snake, was casting its skin, — all the worse for those 
who had to live and grow up during the operation." It 
was a time of great and varied changes, and it was 
impossible to remain stationary. Those who did not go 
up in the world had to go down. Times had changed 
and were changing, but this was not all. The New 
England girl of 1865, less robust physically than her 
mother, had also very different ideas. 



186 Susan Stearns Smith 



Mrs. Smith felt rather than understood these changes, 
and was puzzled and apprehensive. But the situation 
had to be met as it was. For reasons already indicated 
her choice of occupations for her daughters was prac- 
tically restricted to teaching, and there were nianj"- 
difficulties in the way. The time had already' arrived 
when the diploma of a normal school, or its equivalent, 
was a necessity to one who intended to teach, and there 
was, as has been said, no money to send them where 
they could get it. The school life of neither one of them 
exceeded two years after the age of thirteen, and those 
two years were not consecutive. It was a term here and 
a term there, sometimes in one place and sometimes in 
another. 

Hancock's Corps was mustered out in 1866, and John 
returned to Elm Hill for a time. Frances was at home 
during her vacation. In August, they both went West. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

June 24. 1866. 
Your letter was received Wednesday. It was expected 
as well as acceptable. I imagined you felt a little blue, 
but hope I was mistaken, though the feeling that you 
are turned adrift cannot be altogether pleasant. But we 
are all glad you arc coming home. It seems a long time 
since you went away, and you will see more marked 
changes in many persons and many things than in all the 
previous four years of absence. In the present activity 
and enterprise for which, so it seems to me, the things 
are now remarkable, the Micawber sentiment is rather 
ignored. In this busy world there is enough for all to 
do, and to do good and to do right are the surest 
stepping stones to success and i)ros])erily. We slunild 
have been glad if you had secured a jjosition in tlie 
regular army because you must now be better fitted for 



Susan Stearns Smith i87 



It than anything else, but if farming is not your wish I 
hope that something else may turn up— that is a very 
handy phrase— as pleasant and congenial to your tastes 
as military service. 

TO THE SAME 

Sharon Springs, Sept. 23, 1866. 
We were glad to know your whereabouts, for a letter 
received from Jonathan the first of the week told us you 
had left Chicago, but not where you had gone. We were 
glad you had been to see Aunt Caroline (Reynolds). 
Your father was disappointed that you did not say any 
thing about Sam. Gordon, but I thought your letter 
was pretty well filled, and that you enjoyed going 
"a cousining" better than he does. I hope you wfu go 
to La Harpe. I should prefer to have you settle there 

than in Missouri I was to have come home earlier 

in the week, but the rainy weather prevented. My 
hands are dreadfully sore. The cracks in one are an 
inch long and half an inch deep, and I can only allay 

the irritation by keeping them in wet bandages 

Emma Dorr drove me down here; she seems very con- 
tented and happy in Peterborough. Susie and Emmie 
are anticipating a very good time while I am down here. 

TO THE SAMS 

Oct. 20, 1866. 
Your father has revelled in newspapers the past four 
or five weeks. He is so driven in trying to read them 
all that he cannot stop to read much aloud. Nasby's 
letters on the presidential campaign are very funny; 
Parson Brownlow says some sharp things on the course 
of Dr. Beecher. Beecher's last defence or apology was 
very manly, but I wish there had been no occasion for 

making it This morning the ground was white with 

snow; — and so the summer of 1866 has come and gone 
with all its beauty and glory, its enjoyments and 
pleasures, its anxieties and cares. Nothing is left to us 



188 Susan Stearns Smith 



but in the stores of memory and conscience, and in the 
record on Hi^h. To me it has been pleasant, and I 
liope in some measure pleasant and profitable to us a'l. 
Wherever you may be and whatever you may do, I hope 
the reli^MOUs influence of your early home will not be 
forgotten. 

Jonathan fitted for college at New Hampton Insti- 
tution and entered Dartmouth in September, 1867. The 
two younger daughters were at New Hampton with him 
one or two terms, their expenses being paid in part by 
Frances, and in part with money they had earned 
teaching school, but they did not complete the course. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT NEW HAMPTON 

Feb. 4, 1867. 
You will see the Inquirer has come out with a new 
title. I think the paper much more radical than it used 
to be, and I do not like it so well. There are, however, 
many good articles, which I have marked. The one I 
liked particularly is "The Church" by the editor. I like 
Alger's articles much better than Frothingham's. I hear 
they are trying to make a convert of you. I am glad to 
have the revivalists pray for you, but not for your 
conversion to their creed. I wish you might think 
earnestly and seriously enough on the subject of religion 

to join our (not their) church The matter of 

Carrie's trying to graduate at New Hampton has been 
the subject of serious delil)eration between her and 
myself. I hardly think Frances will be willing to loan 
her the two hundred dollars necessary to do it with, and 
from the fact that her father and I cannot help her I feel 
unwilling to encourage the plan, desirable as it may 
seem, much as I wish it, and much as I think she would 
appreciate it. Still, I do not see why she cannot succeed 
as a teacher without a degree from that or any oth<-r 
institution. I should like to know what you think of 



Susan Stkarns Smith i89 



my reasoning, and of the difficulties that stand in the 
way of this long talked of plan. 

TO CAROI.INE SMITH AT NEW HAMPTON 

AX7U . j-j T , ^eb. 11, 1867. 

What did Jonathan say of the contents of my letter 
to him? I mean of that part relating to yourself? I 
have thought a good deal about it since you left, and 
cannot rid myself of the views I then expressed, neither 
can I help sympathizing most sincerely with your wishes 
on tne subject 

Your father has been sitting in the south room all 
day, and has kept it piping hot. Susie is asleep on the 
lounge. The cat is stretched out on the oilcloth also 
taking a nap. Jerry is writing a letter and asking no 
questions! Wiggins is writing letters, too. I think he 
has given up going to the Academy! 

^t, ^°^; ^ ^°P^ ^^^ ^^^^ "°^ b^ homesick, but look on 
the bright side of everything, and enjoy yourself. If 
everything has not a bright side, look only at those 
things which have. Be a good girl, and write to some 
one at home every week. 

TO THE SAME AT NEW HAMPTON, A MONTH LATER 

It cannot be more a matter of regret to you and 
Jonathan than it is to me that I think it is necessary that 
you should be at home after the close of this term I 
have been hoping these three or four weeks that I should 
rally and feel as well as when you went away, but instead 
have grown gradually more and more unable to do any 
thing, and I feel as if I were a slim dependence when it 
comes to anything like work. Such being the case I do 
not feel like being left without you or Susie at home I 
felt as though this might be the case when Susie last wrote 

to you, but perhaps it was kept too much out of sight 

I can see that Jonathan is disappointed, and I wish for 
both your sakes it were otherwise. 



25 



190 Susan Stearns Smith 

to john stearns smith 

March, 1867. 

Wc had the heaviest fall of snow of the winter a week 

ago to-day. It has settled a good deal, and to-day it is 

quite moderate; the walls and fences begin to show 

themselves. It has been a long cold winter in New 

England The debates about the railroad have cooled 

off a good deal. There was great opposition to the vote 
of the five per cent tax by the town, but now the object 
is accomplished the road is regarded as a sure thing. 
Most of those who opposed the vote were wrought upon 
until they were brought over, or did not vote at all. 
That little matter called conscience was rolled up and 
tucked away in a small place for safe keeping. Progress 
and popular opinion rode over that and all the hills and 
mountains between Manchester and Winchendon to gain 
their point. I wanted to lay a wager with your father 
that he would be brought over. He said, "You will 
see." I must say I think a man makes a compromise 
with his honesty and self-respect who after arguing 
about conscience and about oppression turns around at 
last to the popular side. I was glad your father was not 
one of them. He said little in public, but we had fun 
over it at home. Wiggins voted on the popular side! 
Your Uncle was a warm advocate of the road from the 
first, and said some things we did not like. T. K. Ames 
said at a little party at Mr. Hunt's (we were there) that 
"a man who would not vote the five per cent tax did not 
knuw enough to dress himself." 

In the spring of 1867, Mrs. Smith's health was such 
that rest and change, and medical advice were an 
imperative necessity. She went to Boston and was gone 
three weeks. 



Susan Stearns Smith 191 

to jonathan smith at new hampton 

June 25, 1867. 
It is two weeks today since I came to the Hub. It 
seems like so many years. Not that I have not been 
kindly treated and had a good time, but every thing is 
so new and strange, and there is so much noise with it 
all, that I have felt a good deal like a cat in a strange 
garret. I am getting used to it however, and daresay 
that by the time I go home I shall feel more like staying 
than I have done. Last week I was at Cousin Sam's. 
This week I am at Dr. Ainsworth's. I am taking the 
prescription of one of his brother physicians (Dr. 
Durkee) who has made a special study of diseases like 
mine. The eruption has almost disappeared. Whether 
it is the medicine or the freedom from work and care 
that has produced the change I don't know. Probably 
it is both combined. I was very much surprised to see 

John last Sunday I have been very much driven, 

but more by head than by hand operations. Yesterday 
Emma Dorr came to see me, and insisted on my spending 
a week with her at Longwood. I could not get off 
without agreeing to stay over next Sabbath. She says 
Peterborough friends make very mean visits ! Just after 
she left, Mrs. Hubbard called to see me. She invited 
me to take tea with her tomorrow. Emily is at Bridge - 
water. I am disappointed not to see her. Last evening 
Dr. Ainsworth took me to a concert in Music Hall, 
where I heard the best singers in the country, Mme. 
Parepa-Rosa, Adelaide Phillips and others, and above 
all the great organ. The music was so magnificent, so 
stunning, that it dissolved my appreciation of it perhaps. 
I hope my stay here will prove beneficial, but cannot rid 
myself of a constant uneasiness from the feeling that I 
ought to be at home. I think I ought not to feel so 
when every one is so kind to me. I regret most of all 
that my visit here will prevent my going to New 
Hampton to hear the graduation oration of one Jonathan 
Smith. I believe he will be disappointed in his expec- 



192 Susan Stearns Smith 

tation that the audience will prefer his back to his face at 
the close of it. 

1867 was the first year that Mrs. Smith ever 
avowedly, and for gain, "took boarders." In July, Mr. 
and Mrs. Bass and their two children and nurse were at 
the farm for July and August and a part of September. 
Frances came with them, but went back to Chicago the 
last of August. The Bass family came again in 1868 
and in 1869. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

Sept. 21. 1867. 
I am disappointed in not hearing from you or Frank 
this week. In Clara's letter from Saratoga a week ago 
she mentioned Frank's having been out of school two 
days sick, and I have felt a little anxious to hear from 
her. I concluded from Clara's letter being mailed at 
Niagara that they had started for home, — where I hope 
they are now, safe and well. "Dear-r-r-r me," how I 
want to see Gertie. Tell her Aunt Susan went black - 
berrying all alone last week and picked the last there 
will be this year, about two quarts. We had company 
every day this week except Monday, and I feel rather 
worn out. Monday your father, Carrie and I took a 
long ride. There was a strong south wind and I took 
cold, which accounts for my present stupidity and sore 
hands. 

In the autumn of 1867, the youngest daughter went 
west and began teaching in the public schools. The 
youngest son was sent to Phillips Acailemy at the same 
time. Before the summer of 1868 had come, the second 
daughter had found a hajijiy home and a congenial 
occupation in the family of Mrs. Greene. 




THtOUOKfc. HHINNtY OKEKNt. KEAK AIJMIKAL U.S.N. 



Susan Stearns Smith 193 

to john stearns smith 

Feb. 3, 1868. 
Jonathan's school closed Friday morning, and he 
started for Hanover yesterday. Your father took him to 
Keene. After they left I had a feeling of loneliness come 
over me, a something away down in the bottom of my 
heart I think it was, which asserted to me the fact that 
there was no longer the voice or step of one household 
chick coming or going to vibrate on my ear; but I shall 
try to think little about it, for there is danger of growing 
nervous as well as sentimental over the thought of a 

scattered household Your father has been very well 

this winter. Mary Greene sent us the Bigelow papers, 
most of which he has read aloud. We have had many a 

hearty laugh over them You asked how my hands 

were this winter. They have never been as bad as in 
the past three or four weeks. I have had to dress them 
twice a day, which takes about four hours. They have 
been as sore before, but never so weak and painful. I 
can only sew and knit a very little. It is a disappoint- 
ment to me that I cannot use the needle more effectually 
when I am not under the necessity of working about the 
house; — but it is all right, no doubt. 

She had at last procured (from Baltimore) a capable 
and efficient domestic in the person of Kitty, a colored 
woman, who came to the farm soon after the next year. 
Kitty brought her little girl, Gertie by name, "Snowball" 
by appellation, and they remained there about two years. 
Mrs. Smith's letters from that time contain many 
references to them both. 

It would be difficult to over estimate the physical 
discomfort and suffering this malady, eczema, caused 
her. Year by year it grew more difficult to control, and 
she grew less able to endure it. The relief obtained in 
her visit to Boston, the year before, had been only 



194 Slsa.n M'kakns Smith 



temporary. Hut if she often speaks of it in her letters 
it is never in a repininj^ spirit, and anything like self- 
j)ity was far froai her. 

She had her reserves, but she had a truly social 
nature; she never lived within herself. Life, to her, 
was loving her family and friends, helping them, caring 
and thinking for them; hence she suffered from their 
absence. Her letters show plainly how she felt the 
absence of her children, but, unselfish and devoted 
mother that she was, she never comjjlained. 

This did not prevent her from being a severe 
disciplinarian in her own family, especially while her 
children were growing up. It was said of her, by one 
who was a frequent inmate of Elm Hill during these 
last years, that she ruled her children with a rod of iron. 
If this memoir has not made it apparent that the circum- 
stances called for a Spartan discipline, then it has been 
written in vain. Accustomed as she was to be at her 
post in the household, in utter disregard of physical 
aches and ails, she expected more or less of her 
daughters. And so, when one of them fouiul it so 
difficult to recover from the fatigues of a hard year in a 
city public school that she went to her own room at nine 
o'clock in the morning and went to bed, she drew upon 
herself a sharp reprimand from her mother, who could 
see nothing in it but selfish neglect of guests in the 
house. Hut if she was severe with the children, she was 
still more severe with herself, and she never required 
anything of her daughters tliat she did nut require of 
herself in a nnich greater degree. 

She was cheerful by nature, and she cultivated 
cheerfulness. It has been said that she had none of the 



Susan Stkarns Smith 195 

inwardness and melancholy so characteristic of some 
members of her husband's family. The difference 
between them were differences of race. "The Scotch, 
it is well known, are more remarkable for the exercise 
of their intellectual powers than for the keenness of 
their feelings, more attracted by acute reasoning than 
influenced by appeals to the heart." Her husband was 
a thorough Scot, and looked for his happiness elsewhere 
than in the exercise of the feelings. Nevertheless, her 
letters show the intellectual companionship between 
them, and there is no doubt that this companionship 
widened her outlook on life and broadened her judg- 
ments of things. No one understood her husband's 
capabilities better than she. "Your father might have 
been one of the first men in this part of the state had he 
chosen," she once said to one of the children. 

Sense of humor, so far as it implies deriving amuse- 
ment from the foibles and follies of others, she had not. 
She was not given to contemplation of any sort. She 
was, no doubt, a litle apt to take things too seriously, 
and unlike some of those about her, her regard for the 
rights and feelings of others would always stand in the 
way of a joke. She used to say of a certain relative of 
her husband's of the last generation, who shall be 
nameless, "that he would kill a man with his tongue, — 
and then laugh at him." This only means that she had 
a decided taste in jokes. The story of the stones in the 
north field was one that appealed to her very strongly. 
As a word of explanation is necessary, this story may be 
told here. The road which bounded the north field on 
the east was much lower than the field, and being 
always badly washed in the spring, the road menders 



196 Susan Stearns Smith 



were in the habit of di^jj^iiig into tht- bank for earth 
wherewith to repair it. They did this until several rods 
of Deacon John's stone wall were undermined and fell. 
Deacon John said never a word. But one spring he 
had all the stones removed from tlie field and thrown 
down the bank at the precise spot where they had been 
in the habit of dij^g^ing. It was not clearly seen what he 
was about until, as the last load went down, he surveyed 
the work and mildly observed "that he would see if 
they would dig into his field any more." He had 
accomplished a three -fold object. He had stopped 
depredations on his land; he had prevented a quarrel, 
which his peace loving soul hated; and he had had his 
joke. He went home content. 

TO JONATH.\N' SMITH AT DART. COLL. 

Feb. 16, 1868. 
I was very glad to hear j'ou were comfortably settled 
in your college quarters. The Monday after you left 
was a bitter cold day. and I thought of you many times. 
Aunt Fidelia was up here and spent the day Wednesday. 
I thought she was very good to come since I could not 
go there ; we enjoyed ourselves. My salt rheum has 
been much better the past few days, though I suffered 
intensely last week from its appearance on my neck and 
chest. I checked it with tar, cerate and glycerine, and 
I hcjpe it will not rage so again. We are reading 
Cari)enter's vSjx Months at the While House with 
Abndiam Lincoln. It brings up with freshness incidents 
in the life of that great and good man connected with 
the government and the army which make it intensely 
interesting. I never remember to have seen before the 
story of his wanting to burrow the army of the Potomac 
(of Gen. McClellan, you will understand). Your father 
has been very good and has read it all aloud. 



Susan Stearns Smith 197 

to the same 

March 11, 1868. 
Thinking you will like to hear from Peterborough 
about this time, I begin a letter to you tonight, but I 
fear I shall not get a great way, for I have written 
two to-day already. The republicans carried the day 
yesterday, high and dry, and from what we hear, they 
probably carried the state too. J. W. and R. H. are 
town representatives, and Gould is town clerk. A. had 
a few votes, and hoped, I suppose, that he would get 
enough to secure him the office to hitch on to the 
telegraph office ; but there are many disappointments in 
the course of one's life, and to learn to bear them 
manfully is oftener a greater achievement than the 
attainment of the object we covet. Gould had the 
sympathy of the people, and that gave him the office. 
I went to town-meeting (at Aunt Fidelia's) but did not 
vote, because, you see, there were republicans enough 
without me ! There were over 500 votes cast and about 
150 majority. I went to church Sunday before last and 
have been out several times since. My hands are a 
great deal better, for which I am very thankful. Wiggins 
goes to the singing-school. He was very much inter- 
ested in town meeting affairs, went to hear all the 
political lectures, and got very much warmed up. He 
stays at home rather more than when school was keeping 
and reads. I wanted to hear Gov. H. very much, but 
the evening was not propitious, and your father did not 
feel like turning out. Kitty and Gertie rode down to 
the village yesterday with your father. It was the first 
time Snowball has been out since she has been here. 
She is learning to read, but has no more stability than a 
bumblebee. 

TO THE SAME 

No date. 
Jerry and I have been almost drowned in sap. We 
have made sixteen pounds of sugar, and three or four 
gallons of molasses. The business is closed up today, and 

26 



198 Susan Stearns Smith 



I am glad of it. for our conveniences, or inconveniences, 

make it hard work I hope you will come home if the 

expense does not nnich (.xccL-d the expense of stayinj^ in 
Hanover. I never wanted to see you more, that I 
remember. 

TO THE SAMK 

March 21, 1868. 
My letters all come in squads. I have had nine 

within a week, and have answered only one of them 

In my last letter to Susie, with your father's approval, I 
recommended her accepting Mr. Greene's kind and 
generous offer. It is a great deal more advantageous 
than teaching any school, because she is to have many 
fav'ors and privileges which she could not have when 
teaching, even supposing she were always well enough 
to teach. Mary said Mr. Greene took Susie right to his 
heart, and was very desirous she should remain with 
them at present, and I hope we shall be well at home so 
that she can do so. 

TO JOUN STEARNS SMITH 

March 22, 1868. 
Your father has had a serious time with his eyes. 
Two weeks ago a cold settled in them and produced 

severe neuralgic pain; they are well again They 

are working away at the wood pile, and we are burning 
it up about as fast as they are working it up. Your 
father thinks the freestone stove takes a great deal more 
wood than the fire place used to! He does not consider 
that the house is becoming more and more every year 
the receptacle of wind and cold, and we more sensitive 
to both. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH AT DART. COLL. 

May, 1868. 
Did you read the letter entitled, "Outside of Chris- 
tianity" by Mr. Abbott of Dover, in the Christian? I 



Susan Stearns Smith 199 

think there are not many steps between his "religion" 
and French infidelity. I thought the criticism upon it 
in the same paper very just. Mr. Abbott is a grand 
nephew of our Dr. Abbott, and grandson of Dea. Abbott 
of Wilton, who had a household bitterly divided in 
religious beliefs, the grandmother being strongly ortho- 
dox, and taking all her children with her except the 

father of the young minister in question The society 

in Dover have divided under the preaching of Mr. 
Abbott. It is a bold step for a young man to come out 
and denounce everything that has made the nineteenth 
century what it is, and say there is nothing in it. It is 
said for him that he is a very pure-minded man, but 
what has made him so? It is the very Christianity he 
ignores. 

Your father has been very busy with the planting. 
He says it is harder work to drop the potatoes than it 
used to be when the boys did it, but that he plants them 

a great deal better than they used to ! Hoeing and 

haying will be near together this year. 

TO THE SAME 

Sept. 16, 1868. 
We are all alone, dreary, cold and frost-bitten! A 
poor time, you will say, to sit down and write a letter 
which ought to have been written some days ago ; but a 
history of the past two weeks will, I hope, convince you 
that I have not had time for letter writing, though I 
should have written a note by the Dr. and sent you some 
papers had I known of his going in season. Two weeks 
ago last Saturday Frank came from Boston with the 
children. The next Tuesday she started for the West, 
leaving them in my care. Clara came the next Friday, 
Mr. B. the following Monday, and the next day they 
two started for Vt. , leaving Gertie and Johnnie with me. 
The children were very good (although Johnnie's faculty 
for mischief did not desert him by any means) and I had 
a really nice time with them. Their father and mother 



SrsAN >ti:akns Smith 



were gone one week, and yesterday the whole family 
started for home. The day Frank came Susie and the 
Commodore came over from Jaffrey. Mr. G. went back 
that evening, Susie stayed until Monday morning. 
Tuesday of this week ^Ir. Bass went over for Susie 
again and she stayeci until yesterday morning, and after 
the Bass family were started off your father and I went 
over to Jaffrey to take her back. We had a drizzling 
rain all the way over, but it cleared off at noon and was 
cold enough. This morning the mercury stood at 

freezing, and the vines and tomatoes are all killed 

The Commodore has received orders for Pensacola; he 
is to be there by the middle of October. Cousin Mary 

with her poor health is not at all reconciled to it 

Perhaps the Dr. told you Cousin Sally Morison was very 
feeble; she passed away last Tues. evening, and is to be 
buried to-morrow afternoon. She was perfectly con- 
scious and resigned, raising her hand a few minutes 
before her death, and spelling the word "dying," and 
then, like one falling asleep, breathed her last. She 
gave directions to have everything done very nice and 
without hurry in regard to her burial, in token of which 
she smoothed her hair and folded the clothes over her 
breast. Eliza has been quite sick. How lonelj' she 
must feel now ! 

TO THE SAME 

No date. 
No letters since you left — no visitors — no callers ; a 
solemn stillness seems to reign; even the chairs and 
tables seem deserted; — but I am afraid I shall get blue 
if I write in this strain. 

TO THE SAME 

Sept. 26, 1868. 

In the letter Frank wrote after she went back she 

said J. thought you were too severe. It might seem so 

to him, but perhaps would not if he had had our 

experience in the last three or fi)ur years in matters and 



Susan Stearns Smith 201 

things at home. Heaven forbid that any of us should 
be unjust in our opinions; your father is altogether too 
honest a man for this money-getting world, — so much 
so that he is sometimes forced to be a little hard with 

his family and himself 

Your father has been very busj'- picking the apples. 
The cows took so many of those that had been beaten 
off b3' the rain and wind that their milk is all dried up. 
We have had very hea\'y rains the past week. Your 
father is reading aloud Parton's Life of Horace Greely. 
His eyes give him a good deal of trouble, but he is 
pretty well. Your Uncle Sidney and his wife called 
to-day. They seem as brisk and happy as can be. 
Kitty and Wiggins gave a party last evening to the 
Bleak House girls and Winman. They had cake, apples 
and new cider, and partook of the latter pretty freely. 
Your father sa3^s he shall be glad when the Bleak House 
ladies remove to Baltimore. George has been there (we 
suppose) nearly ever>' evening for a fortnight. 



TO THE SAME 

Oct. 18, 1868. 
Your father said Mr. Ferry's sermon yesterday was 
full of the doings of the National Conference, and that 
he did not like Dr. Bellow's sermon altogether. The part 
of it that he disliked (that on Theists and Theism) we 
liked the best. I did not go to church, but we read the 
sermon in the evening. Mr. Pendleton preached in the 
afternoon. He gave almost unqualified praise to Dr. 
Bellow's discourse, and was very enthusiastic in his 
account of what he heard and saw at the Convention. 
Kitty said she saw a good many shed tears. I asked 
Mary what Mr. Pendleton said that was so affecting; 
she answered by saying that "she did not see any bod}' 
cry." 



202 Susan Stkarns Smith 

to the same 

Nov. 8, 1868. 
I wrote four letters last week, which with working 
four days over the apple sauce, and a bad cold into the 
barj^ain, was as much as I could attend to. Was there 
ever such a series of storms and cloudy cold weather as 
we have had this autumn? I hardly think you can 
remember anything like it if I can't! A week ago 
to-day there was one of the severest rain storms I ever 
knew. It reminded me of the time when the 6th N. H. 
\'. came so near being wrecked off Cape Hatteras in 
1862. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

Dec. 16, 1868. 
The letter you promised in a few days has not 

arrived yet Perhaj)s you are very bus^'. This is a 

busy world, and everybody seems to have a share in 
what is going on. Peteiboro people have been unusually 
busy during the past two weeks. There has never been 
so unanimous a movement in our society as the move- 
ment for the new organ, and the raising of $1200.00 in 
one evening proves it successful. Every body is satisfied 
and pleased, Mr. Ferry not least so; he calls it a revival! 
Your father subscribed $15.00, your Uncle $50.00; the 
contributions of friends from abroad have swelled the 
sum to $2200.00. I hope the levee for the soldiers' 
monument will be equally successful. It will embrace a 

greater number of persons interested We had a 

pleasant Thanksgiving. It is a long time since you and 
I have pasesd that day at Elm Hill, and I wished you 
and P'rances could have been at home this year. 

The sale of the farm became a possibility during the 
first year of the Civil War. In the years that followed 
the possibility changed into a probability, and at the 
opening of the year 1869, it had become a probability of 
the near future. 



Susan Stearns Smith 203 

to jonathan smith at dart. coll. 

Feb. 29, 1869. 
"We have had a tremendous snow storm. It began 
Friday noon and snowed and blew about twelve hours 
with more fury than at any previous time this winter. 
About a foot of snow fell ; it is so much in drifts that not 
a single sleigh or foot traveller has been seen to pass 
since Friday evening. Your father went out yesterday 
with the intention of yoking up to break out, but it blew 
so hard that the oxen refused to come under the yoke, 

and the highway is still a trackless waste I had a 

letter from Frances this week. She seemed to feel sad 
that the farm had been offered for sale, but added that 
she did not see what else could be done under the 
circumstances. She said Carrie had said she was not 
sure she should wish to come home this summer if the 
farm was sold, but to me the old nest loses much of its 
charm when the birds have all flown. Your father 
received a letter from Mr. N. H. Morison the day after 
you left home, a very kind letter, expressing regret 
that the necessity of the sale existed, which had never- 
theless a tendency to awaken feelings we had been 
trying to smother — a deep regret at parting with the 
comparatively deserted though still dear old home. Mr. 
M. said he thought it would be fruitless to try to find a 
purchaser in Baltimore for a farm here, as there are 
many beautiful situations in the vicinity of Baltimore 
that would suit southern people much better. 

She did not live to see the farm sold; but the 
following poem, cut from some newspaper, was found in 
her work basket after her death: — 



204 Srs Smith 

LEAVING THE OLD IIOISE 



There's sunshine on the meadows, 

And sunshine on the road, 
And through the brightness toils my horse 

Reneath a weary load ; 
And as I stand before my gate, my hand before my eyes, 
I hear the children laugh to see the household gods I prize. 

There was a time when this old home 

Was full of mirth and glee; 
But one by one the inmates went 

And left it all to me; 
A quiet house of vacant rooms, each made a sacred place 
By echo of a missing step, or glimpse of vanished face. 

Ah, how I used to stand before 

The mirror on the stair, 
And brush my long bright ringlets out. 

And fancy I was fair! 
I took that quaint old mirror down and packed it up last night. 
And never stopped to trick my hair, for what is left is white! 

In later years I used to sit 

And watch the long green lane 
For one who came in those old times. 

But cannot come again. 
.\nd somehow, still, at eventide ray chair is turned that way, 
And I sit and work where once I watched — I sat so yesterday. 

My new house is a pleasant place, 

But yet it grieves me, how 
Its small completeness seems to say 

.My world is narrow now. 
'Tis far too sniHl! for any one with festivals to keep, 
Bui for my funeral large enough, for few will come to wiiji' 



Susan Stearns Smith 205 

Good bye, old house, a long good bye! 

My hand is on your gate ! 
Though tears are gathering in my eyes 

I may no longer wait ! 
Good bye, old house! but after all, the love that makes you dear 
Awaits me in my heavenly home, which I am drawing near! 

TO JONATHAN SMITH 

March 21, 1869. 

In settling down to write I am afraid I shall not be 

able to talk about aaj'-thing but the dreadful cold weather, 

but I will try. The wind was so cold and so strong this 

morning that no one could summon resolution enough to 

go to church These heavy snows and cold are a 

great disappointment to the sugar-makers, many of 

whom have been readj^ to set the kettle boiling We 

went out to tea at one of the neighbor's one day last 
week, and met a home Missionary, the Rev. Mr. C. of 
Hancock; he is very social and intelligent, and I should 
have thoroughly enjoined his conversation had he not 
taken such unwearied pains to convince us how sincerely 
he believed in a vicarious atonement and in endless 
misery, affirming that the immortality of the soul is 
sufficient proof of the latter. 

TO THE SAME 

April 11, 1869. 
Kitty would like it better if we had a large family to 
make a little excitement; the monotonj^ of life here is 
not to her taste, and I do not think it surprising. I 
shall feel obliged to take boarders if I keep her, and I 
rather dread it ; but perhaps it will be best in many ways 
for father and me, too. 

There was a large family in the summer of 1869. 
The Bass family came earlier and staid later, and all the 
children of the house were at home in July and August 
except John and Susie. The first of September the 

27 



206 Susan Stbarns Smith 



daughters went back to their schools in Chicago, and 
Jonathan to Dartmouth College. Kitty was still at Elm 
Hill, but went back to Baltimore the first of October. 

TO .MRS. BASS 

Sept. 9, 1869. 
I have nothing .special to say, but think it best to 
write, as I agreed to do so. Johnnie is brisk, and 
improving all his time and strength in his usual round 
of duties. Gertie went to the picnic with us yesterday. 
I thought she did not seem to enjoy it very well; perhaps 
it was because we could not find the way into Mamma's 
trunk to get what she thought she ought to wear; but as 
the weather did not look very promising I thought the 
black frock would do very well. The clouds looked 
very threatening all day, and just as we started for home 
it began to pour. The rain kept on until evening. It 
was so much needed that we gladly submitted to the 

inconvenience of getting wet I have thought it be.'^t 

to put the apples out of the children's way, for they 
were eating them a little too industriously. I found it 
a little difficult to confute father's law "to let them have 
all they wanted," but a little reasoning made all right. 
I hope you are well and having a good time. Do not 
be anxious about the children; they are very well, and 
I trust will continue so. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH 

Oct. 3, 1869. 
Perhaps you think you are forgotten, but it is no 
such thing. I have hardly written a letter since you 
went away, but have spent most of my time cooking and 
dodging about through the work and bustle of so large a 
family as we have had, a chore hc-re, a chore there and 
work evt-rywhere! Kitty ami Snowball left last Thurs- 
day morning. I am sorry and glad they are gone. It has 
been i)relty hard getting along with them the i)ast three 
months, and I am glad I have not the ground to go over 



Susan Stearns Smith 207 

again ; a change cannot be for the worse, at least I hope 
so. Kitty had good impulses, but they did not last 
long; she was so jealous that I was in constant fear of 
offending her, and I think that in reality she had very 
little gratitude for all I did for her. I hope she will 
realize the good time she anticipates when she gets back 
to Baltimore. Mrs. M. seems to think it doubtful. L. 
S. came to stay after Kitty left until Mary can come, so 
I seem to be provided for in the line of help at present. 
I had the care of Gertie and Johnnie while their father 
and mother were gone, and we had a good time together; 

at least they seemed reconciled, and I was so Your 

father and J. are digging the potatoes, of which there is 
a bountiful yield. The latter says he is two hours and 
a half behind in his reading. He has a good many irons 
in the fire lately, which, with Gertie and Johnnie always 
at his heels, make application rather difficult. He says 

he is going to write to you very soon if not before 

I expect we shall have the pleasure of listening to boy 
preaching the coming four weeks. I hope it will be of a 
different stamp from Mr. N.'s. I for one, however, do 
not mean to be difficult. If our candidates are not too 
immature, nor too radical, nor unconverted young men, 
I shall feel bound to like them, and if I do not I hope I 

shall have sense enough to be quiet We are reading 

Mrs. Stowe's Oldtown Folks. 

TO JOHN STEARNS SMITH 

Oct. 24, 1869. 
The temptations to spend money to single young 
men in the city are so various (so I have heard) that 
they must shut their eyes and stop their ears as they 
pass along, and say to themselves, I will spend for what 
I need and for nothing else. Without some rule of this 
sort I think it does not make much difference what the 
salary is. The true philosophy of life consists in making 
the most and best of what we have. How few of us do 
it. Wouldn't you have been disappointed if I hadn't 



208 Susan Stearns Smith 



embellished my epistle with a short lecture! Well, I 
hope it will do no harm. I suppose Mr. H. and faniilj- 
are at home before this. We missed them more than I 
can tell. The day after they left I was too tirt-d to enter 
into the work and bustle of clearing; up, so I sat down to 
a piece of work (Clara knows what it was) which I had 
declared I would not do; but with my constitutional 
weakness that way I gave up and went vijjorously to 
work, and the long, blue, lonely day was soon passed, 
and was succeeded by others filled with the more cheer- 
ful active labors of cleaning house. I have been very 
well, with the exception of my standing infirmity, which 
year by year, I find, enlarges its field of operations. 
Mary (Sanderson) has been very good help. There is 
a great deal in having learned to do things the right 

way, or perhaps I should say, our way We have 

had no preaching at our church for three wt-eks. Mr. 
Ferry preaches through the month of November, and 
then will begin the fearful ordeal of getting a new 
minister. May it not be so difficult a matter as it was 
nine years ago! 

TO CAROLINE SMITH 

Nov. 3, 1869. 
I am all alone except for father and Jerry. Mary 
went home this morning. I felt .sorry to have her go, 
but your Uncle's family came this morning (from 
Hanover) so there was no other way. I got matters 
well straightened out while she was here, and the apple- 
sauce made, but oh, it does seem so lonely! I think if 
we have a si^ell of pleasant weather I shall not mijid it 
half so much. Jerry asked me to-day if I was not glad 
we had a dog! A dog and two cats is certainly as much 
of such company as I could ask for. I received Frank's 
letter last Friday. I was glad to hear the Hass family 
were safe at home, but it did seem unfortunate that 
Johnnie should be taken with the crrjup so soon. I atn 
afraid Clara will have a hard time getting her domestic 



Susan Stearns Smith 209 

affairs into running- order, with Johnnie sick. I wish 
she had one of the eight loaves of pumpkin brown bread 
that I baked yesterday, and Mr. Bass a jar of the apple- 
sauce, but I dare say they have many better things. 
We shall move into the dining room the next cold snap. 

From the first of November she had no one to depend 
upon for assistance in the household but the daughter of 
one of the neighbors, a little girl, ten or twelve years 
old, and she was in no condition of mind or body to be 
left alone. About the time this letter was written her 
malady grew suddenly much worse, and for nearly eight 
weeks raged with unabated violence. Laborious and 
painful days were followed by painful and sleepless 
nights, when she walked the floor unable to get even 
rest. She could go nowhere, not even to church. She 
went to her sister's on Thanksgiving day, and she was 
present at the wedding of this sister's only daughter, 
the first week in December; but with these two excep- 
tions it is not known that she was outside of her own 
door after the middle of November. 

TO CAROLINE SMITH 

Dec. 18, 1869. 
You will not be looking for another letter from me so 
soon. When I wrote last Sunday I said nothing about 
my troubles hoping they would be relieved in a few daj^s 
but instead they have grown much worse, and I cannot 
do anything but with the greatest inconvenience and a 
great deal of suffering. I have managed to get along 
with Jerry's help and Jennie Parker's, and having some 
washing and cooking done but I do not know which way 
to turn to get anj'bodjs in fact, there is no one to be 
had. In view of this state of things I asked your father 
this morning what he thought of sending for you to 



Susan Stkarns Smith 



come home. He was quite loath it should be done if 
there was anv other way to Ret alouR. but finally said I 
had better write and see what you thoujiht about it. W e 
shall be very sorry to have your present plans broken 
up and do not wish vou to come unless yon are willing 
and feel that it is for the best. I do not think it would 
be safe for Susie to come North at this season of the 

year I have had a long kind letter from Dr. 

Ainsworth. He wants me to come to Boston. 

TO THE SAME 

Dec. 30, 1869. 

I received your letter last night. I was glad you 
were so ])ronipt to answer, and that you were willing to 
come home. Under the circumstances I felt that I had 
better write, and father felt so, too; we thought that if 
you knew just how we were situated you w-.uld i>refer 
to come. I am somewhat relieved of my difficulty, but 
am not materially better. I do not suffer so much from 
the irritation, and hope the last medicine will bye -and - 
bye have a good effect. And so we have come to the 
conclusion that you had better defer coming home until 
the last of January, as you propose. Jennie Parker 
does very well. She comes up somewhere between the 
hours of 8 and 10 A. M. and stays until the work is done 
up for the afternoon. Mrs. Parker is a good cook and 
comes whenever I need her, and she washes well, too. 
And as the butchering is all done I feel that we can get 
along as we are until the last of January. Now. do not 
give yourself any uneasiness on our account, but take 
good care of yourself, and do not start for home until 

you are ready to come comfortably I cxy)ected 

Uncle and Aunt up to-day, but they have not come. 
Uncle has been up professionally three or four times in 
the last two or three weeks but Aunt has not been up 
since the first of November. She has been very poorly 
in the last fortnight, but is better now. The billets have 
gone back and forth between her and myself pretty often 



Susan STEAR;srs Smith 211 



lately, and I could not help laughing to myself yesterday 
thinking over their contents, and wondering how the 

correspondence would read in print Last Thursday 

your father had an attack of ague— a severe one. After 
the chill the pain was so intense that I had hard work to 
keep him in bed. He got relief the next day by means 
of whiskey, morphine and hot freestones, but did not 
seem to be right, and Sunday the Dr. came up and gave 
him a blue pill. He is so well now that he has gone out 
to chop wood. 

TO JON A. SMITH, DENNIS, MASS. 

Jan. 2, 1870. 

I begin with wishing you a happy New Year. The 
rain is coming down in torrents and the wind blows 
furiously. A little snow came in the night, just enough 
for sleighing, and it is not yet warm enough to melt it. 

Your father and J. have gone to church I was glad 

to hear you say your health and courage were good. In 
going among people as you say you are expected to do 
you will have an opportunity to cultivate the habit of 
conversation. Some people live so much in themselves 
that their nearest friends are often afraid to speak, tbo' 
they may wish ever so much to do so. The power to 
talk and talk well is very desirable in the domestic circle. 
I have missed you more than I can tell this winter, far 
more than I have missed Kitty in her department of the 
household. 

I still suffer dreadfully from salt rheum, tho' possibly 
less than three or four weeks ago. Having to use hot 
baths, have slept on the lounge for three weeks. Some- 
times I get a little discouraged. Possibly Carrie may 
come home the last of January. She says she is willing 
to come if I wish it. Your father thought I had better 
write and see what she said about it. I have not 
mentioned it to anyone before. I thought I would not 
tell Susie until she came, if it was decided that she 
should come. 



2i_> Q.csv Stearns Smith 



Kight days later and the tense cord had snapped. 
This was the last letter she ever wrote. Thursday noon 
she ate dinner as usual, but shortly after was seized 
with severe pain in the side. The Dr. was summoned 
and was able to relieve the pain, but fever set in and by 
the next morning deadly pneumonia had declared itself, 
and marched straight on to its fatal end. and no remedies 
were of any avail. 

DR. SMITH TO JON A. SMITH 

Snturdny morning. 
Your mother is very sick with pneuinonia. She was 
taken Thursday P. M.'with severe pain in the side from 
which she got relief, but the fever continued, and 

yesterday she was very sick I think she will go 

through it, and yet I have some fears. Many of the 
symptoms are favorable, while there is great intensity of 

the fever — You shall hear again by Monday's mail 

Ellen Forbush is at IClm Hill, and your Aunt goes up 
this morning. 

Saturday afternoon the absent children were sum- 
moned, but before tht-y could arrive she had passed 
beyond their ken. Sunday, at midnight, she died, and 
the old house was left desolate, and the old life there 
came to an end. 

Four days later, in the afternoon of a wildly, stormy 
day, she was buried in the village cemetery, in the lot 
where, eleven years later, her husband was laid beside 
her. The two officiating clergymen at her funeral, one 
of whom was there by his own request, were both old 
personal friends. The Rev. C. 1^ Ferry, who had left 
the Unitarian society in Peterborough to go to Manches- 
ter, six weeks before, was unable to be present, but he 



Susan Stearns Smith 213 



wrote a letter, to the Transcript, paying a warm tribute 
to her memory. He had known her long, and had been 
quick to recognize her fine traits of mind and heart, and 
her deeply religious nature. 



This is an all too long sketch of another of the 
""forgotteyi millions,'" a woman who wotUd have asked 
no other memorial than the affectionate remembrance of 
her friends. Few now remain of those who knew and 
loved her. To those few is dedicated this chro7iicle of 
the ''Piccolo moyido antico'' of Jaffrey and of Elm Hill. 



